Mansfield Town 1-1 Southend United (EFL League Two) 19.12.20
Another draw for Mansfield Town, their eleventh of the season after spoils were again shared at Field Mill yesterday following two cracking goals from respective strikers of teams trying desperately to avoid the drop.
A fantastic shot on the half volley gave bottom of the table Shrimpers a first half lead as Olayinka left Marek Stech standing with a well-executed thunderous drive on 27 minutes but the home side forced themselves back into the game as they searched for a leveller which would elude them going into the break.
Nigel Clough made an attacking change at half time as Andy Cook replaced George Maris and on 56 minutes Mansfield created their best opportunity to score when Bowery’s header was tipped onto the crossbar with Benning shooting the rebound at his own player Lapslie who got in the way of a goal bound effort.
Lapslie tried to make amends moments later swinging in a dangerous cross which evaded everyone before the same player fired wide of the target after good work by Bowery.
It was the Mansfield number nine however who rescued a point for his team as Bowery danced through the Southend defence to finish low and underneath the goalkeeper with little more than ten minutes remaining and although they had late chances to win the game it was instead yet another draw to the collection, the Stags now 20th on 17 points just four above the drop zone.
Mansfield Town: Stech, Gordon (O’Keeffe 90), Rawson, Sweeney, Benning, Charsley, Clarke, Lapslie, Maris (Cook 46), Reid (McLaughlin 53), Bowery.
Southend United: Oxley, Bwomono, Hobson, Dieng, Clifford (Hart 36), McCormack (R. Taylor 68), K. Taylor, Egbri, Olayinka (Klass 58), Akinola (Halford 68), Acquah (Howard 68).
Venue: Field Mill
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc action from the One Call Stadium verses Southend.
