Mansfield Town 0-0 Forest Green Rovers (EFL League Two) 23.03.21

Mansfield produced a solid display against third placed Forest Green as both sides ended content with a share of the spoils in a goalless but entertaining encounter at the One Call Stadium.

A year on from the original lockdown announcement, Mansfield fittingly wore a strip dedicated to the NHS and the team looked good in the early stages of the match as an opportunity came within three minutes when Reid’s strike was saved by Thomas and the same player called the Rovers goalkeeper into action again after firing straight at him from the angle on seven.

At the other end, Bailey hit the wall from a free kick on nine minutes the only real attempt of attacking threat on Stags goal during the opening exchanges, Harry Charsley hitting into the side netting on 18 as Mansfield looked the more likely towards taking the lead.

The visitors did grow in a first half that saw Collins fire wide from inside the box on 24 before Stokes tested Stone to no avail, Perch then did well to stop a goal bound effort by Collins as the away side looked to have a stronghold on the game.

A half of two halves as Mansfield started the better with early chances, Rovers showing why they are considered seriously as promotion fodder during the second twenty-two and a half minutes of the first 45.

As did the first half, the second started with the Stags on top. A double save by Thomas just five minutes from the restart denied first Maris then Reid in quick succession. Four minutes later Quinn struck wide from a low Benning cross but Forest Green came back into the fight and Matt forced a brilliant save from Stone on 58 after his header was stopped by the young Mansfield goalkeeper.

Law then forced Thomas into action again, after neat play with Jordan Bowery before Gordon whipped in a dangerous ball, well dealt with by the Rovers shot stopper.

Substitute McLaughlin had a late attempt deflected wide before a big chance for Bowery on 89, denied by Thomas with the ball eventually cleared off the line, perhaps the best the Stags could offer, on the night however, a stalemate and a point a piece was reward for an open game where defences deservedly came out on top.

Mansfield Town: Stone, Gordon, Rawson, Perch, Benning, Charsley, Maris, Law, Quinn (McLaughlin 75), Reid, Bowery.

Forest Green Rovers: Thomas, Bernard, Stokes, Cargill, Wilson, Allen, Whitehouse, Cadden (Young 88), Collins, Bailey (Davison 77), Matt.

Venue: Field Mill

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc action during a stalemate at the Mill.