Swindon Town 1-0 Mansfield Town (EFL League Two) 28.08.21

Mansfield Town were beaten in Swindon as the Stags slip to seventh in the table following Tyreece Simpson’s winning goal on the hour.

In a first half of few chances, Mansfield enjoyed decent possession against their hosts and created the best opportunity when Stephen McLaughlin centred but George Lapslies shot at goal was well blocked by a Robins defender.

In the second half things opened up much more and Swindon might have took the lead when Kesler crossed to Hunt at the back post but for a brilliant reaction save by Nathan Bishop.

Mansfield should have scored when Hawkins through on goal passed to Quinn who would have had an empty net, but for the heavy weight taking the Irishman away from goal and in time for the home side to get defenders back and stop the Stags best scoring opportunity.

In response, Swindon finished a beautiful football move which saw some slick passing to get Johnny Williams away, the Welsh international racing down the left to centre for Palmer who slid home what would be the winning goal on 59 minutes.

Mansfield thought they had a leveller when a late Tyrese Sinclair free kick crashed off a post and bounced frustratingly on the line, some Stags players thinking the ball went in, Manager Nigel Clough saying after “I’m not sure how we haven’t scored. There was poor decision-making in the final third again, but to create that many chances away from home and not come away with anything is quite incredible really.”

“We controlled the game for periods, especially in the first 20 minutes and had two good chances. You come in at 0-0 and we’re thinking we should be 1-0 up.

“Then second-half we concede a soft-ish goal, a good goal from their point of view, then after that we have half a dozen opportunities to get a goal.”

Next up for Mansfield is a trip to Harrogate in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday before a reciprocal hosting of the same opposition in the league on Saturday afternoon.

Swindon Town: Wollacott, Odimayo, Conroy, Chrichlow-Noble, Kesler, Grant (Williams 58), Reed, Hunt, Payne, Gladwin (Iandolo 76), Simpson (McKirdy 83).

Mansfield Town: Bishop, Gordon, Rawson, Hewitt, McLaughlin, Clarke (Sinclair 72), Lapslie (Bowery 86), Maris, Quinn, Johnson (Oates 64), Hawkins.

Venue: County Ground (8,631)

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc action between Swindon & Mansfield on Saturday.