Stevenage 1-2 Mansfield Town (EFL League Two) 13.11.21

Mansfield Town made it four victories in a row in all competitions after picking up their second successive league win to move up the League Two table into 18th.

Latest scalps include Tranmere, Sunderland, Newcastle and now Stevenage after a treacherous run of form, previously saw the Stags without a win in fourteen.

At the Lamex Stadium in Hertfordshire, it was a real good, gutsy, entertaining game that could have gone either way, especially in an action packed first half, the home side twice hitting the post in between the Stags taking the lead, which they held until the break.

Former Mansfield forward Jamie Reid lining up against his old team for the first time since moving in the summer, hitting the foot of the post after just fourteen minutes before JJ O’Toole headed home a Stephen McLaughlin floated free kick on nineteen to put the visitors one up.

Rhys Oates then raced through on goal to hit wide before George Maris forced a top save from Adam Smith in the Stevenage goal, the hosts going close to levelling two minutes before the interval when Reid again hit the woodwork, striking a shot from outside the box into exactly the same place as he had previously hit earlier in the game.

It didn’t take long however for the home side to get on level terms after half time, just ten minutes into the second period, an Arthur Read corner to the back post found an unmarked Scott Cuthbert who headed home unchallenged.

Mansfield though were quick to respond, a deft touch by Ryan Stirk just ten minutes later saw him beat a defender inside the box and place home left footed for what would be the winning goal.

On loan Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop was to be called upon in the final ten minutes, flying to his right to stop a blockbuster Reeves effort from range nestling in the top corner, all players playing their part in a match which Mansfield deserved to win, despite at times riding their luck.

Manager Nigel Clough saying after “I thought we were excellent in the first-half and should have gone in more than one ahead.

“We had one or two very good situations, but then we concede, from our point of view a very poor goal.

“I thought our reaction to the goal was very good and Ryan Stirk’s popped up with the winner and a very good winner as well!”

Stevenage: Smith, Wildin, Vancooten, Cuthbert, Melbourne, Barry (Lines 63), Read, Taylor, Reeves, List, Reid (Norris 70).

Mansfield Town: Bishop, Hewitt, O’Toole, Hawkins, McLaughlin, Maris (Rawson 79), Clarke, Charsley, Lapslie (Stirk 54), Quinn, Oates (Sinclair 63).

Venue: Broadhall Way

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc the Stags celebrate Ryan Stirk’s winning goal.