Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Mansfield Town (EFL League Two) 27.03.21
A solid point after a stunning strike was just reward for Mansfield who edge further into the safety parrallels of League Two for 2021/22 pending but the Stags will beware, the gap now nine points on Southend United in 23rd who have two games in hand and won themselves today, a timely win or two will do Nigel Clough nicely before his side gets dragged in deeper than it already is.
Against Rovers themselves in more ambitious position whilst chasing promotion to League One which is their hoped destination for season next, the visitors started well, having their fair share of possession in the early stages as Jamie Reid burst through for Stags on 16 to fire wide the best either side could come up with, the hosts by then had already made a change following Scott Davies injury with the goalkeeper being replaced by Joe Murphy.
On 17 Mansfield calls for penalty as Reid is brought down inside the area, nothing from the Referee who waves play on but Town kept plugging, Rawson heading wide a Benning free kick before Tranmere had their say by asking questions of their opponents defence. Woolery shooting wide on 28 before Clarke heading Feeney’s free kick the wrong side of the posts for Keith Hill’s team who were knocking at the door.
In injury time that door was answered as the Mansfield defence finally succumb, Woolery smashing home superbly to put the promotion pushers ahead.
Stags made a double change at the break but an early opportunity for the hosts saw Feeney ambitiously volley from long range which nearly caught out Stone, Stephen Quinn at the other end volleying wide of the Rovers goal not (yet) troubling the Tranmere sub keeper.
On the hour Reid again shot wide before Law tested Murphy on 71 and after another shout for a penalty when Quinn’s shot hit the arm of a Rovers defender, on 76 minutes the former Sheffield United and Hull City midfielder smashed home an incredible leveller, a volley from the edge of the box.
As Tranmere pressed desperately for a late winner, Stone saved from Lewis inside the box, his volley well saved on 83, the Stags defence solid in the closing stages with a point in the end well appreciated by all in yellow and blue.
Tranmere Rovers: Davies (Murphy 14), Khan, Ray, Clarke, MacDonald, Crawford (Nugent 74), Spearing, Woolery, Feeney, Morris (Kirby 74), Lewis.
Mansfield Town: Stone, Gordon, Rawson, Perch, Benning, Charsley (Clarke 57), Maris (McLaughlin 46), Law (Sinclair 88), Quinn (Sweeney 85), Bowery (Lapslie 46), Reid.
Venue: Prenton Park
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Stephen Quinn scores a magnificent volley to earn the draw.
