Sunderland 0-1 Mansfield Town (FA Cup Round One) 06.11.21

Mansfield Town have done it again, in a repeat of last seasons feat, the Stags have beaten Sunderland 1-0 in the first round of the FA Cup, at the Stadium of Light.

It was the perfect start for Mansfield as in-form striker Rhys Oates struck inside six minutes after closing down the home sides goalkeeper Burge to intercept and fire home in off the woodwork.

Oates might also of had a penalty shout moments after, before Dajaku headed over the Black Cats first opportunity of the game on fifteen.

Charsley then went close for Mansfield, striking inches wide after good work by Lapslie before Sunderland pressed and late on in the opening half Bishop was forced into making a fantastic save after Broadhead headed what looked to be a leveller.

Mansfield though were still offering danger themselves and Hawkins might have made it two before the break, heading against the bar.

Sunderland Manager Lee Johnson, obviously fuming at half time made four changes to his side and the immediate effect saw the League One men press their lower-level opponents with a chance for Neil whiskering close on 51 as the midfielders volley flew past the outside of the posts.

Stags continued to be resilient though and Quinn shot over on 58 before Charsley went in the Referees book on the hour for a strong tackle in the middle of the park.

Sunderland then hit the bar with a header before Evans effort was blocked on the line and in the dying seconds Neil again hitting the woodwork to the relief of all in yellow and blue. Mansfield eventually holding on with the home side throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Nigel Clough’s well marshalled defence.

A fantastic day for Stags who may have rode their luck, Mansfield are now in the draw for the second round of the cup with one victory from a potential even bigger tie in round three.

Sunderland: Burge, Cirkin (O’Nien 71), Alves (Winchester 46), Evans, Flanagan (Doyle 46), Neil, Wright, O’Brien (Gooch 46), Dajaku (Pritchard 46), Embleton, Broadhead.

Mansfield Town: Bishop, Lapslie (Sinclair 84), O’Toole, Hewitt, McLaughlin, Hawkins, O. Clarke, Maris, Oates (Bowery 63), Charsley (Forrester 90), Quinn.

Venue: Stadium of Light

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Stephen Quinn in action during a remarkable cup win at the Stadium of Light.