Doncaster Rovers 2-3 Mansfield Town (FA Cup Round Two) 04.12.21
Mansfield Town came through an enthralling cup tie to upset League One Doncaster Rovers and make the hat for the third round of the FA Cup for a second successive season.
The Stags went behind to their hosts after just seven minutes when Horton put Rovers 1-0 up and that’s how the first half stayed with Nigel Clough’s men trailing at the break.
A resurged second half performance however blew their higher ranked opponents away, 20-year-old on loan Stoke City defender Will Forrester heading home from a corner on 48 minutes before George Lapslie fired in on the rebound to give Mansfield the lead after Bowery’s shot with an hour gone was saved by Louis Jones into the midfielders path, the Stags then made it 3-1 when Lapslie again right place, right time, finished off a flowing and fluid passing move.
The Stags went into the latter stages with a two goal cushion but Tommy Rowe reduced the deficit on 84 to leave a nervy finish but Nigel Clough’s men not just held out but could of perhaps wrapped things up for an even bigger and better margin on the counter-attack, both Maris and Quinn missing chances in injury time.
At the end of the whistle, the Keepmoat quickly emptied all bar the 3,000 plus away fans who sang and celebrated with their team, the Manager after the game commenting “That second 45 was as good as we’ve been.”
Clough stating “I thought the first-half we controlled. I thought the timings of our goals were very important.”
“To get one back straight after the break didn’t give them time to settle. It was a great flick at the near post by George Lapslie and Will Forrester got his first goal for us.”
“Laps is in position for the second one but at last the third one has gone in.
“The third goal was a brilliant, brilliant move.”
Mansfield now just happy to be in the hat for the exciting round three draw with Clough eyeing up more progression in the competition, he said “We’re due a home draw so we’ll take anybody at home.”
Doncaster Rovers: Jones, Knoyle, Anderson, Horton, Rowe, Smith, Hasani, Ravenhill (Blythe 57), Hiwula, Dodoo, Barlow (Cukur 64).
Mansfield Town: Bishop, Hewitt, O’Toole, Forrester, McLaughlin (Bowery 46), Lapslie, Stirk, Clarke (Charsley 90), Quinn, Oates (Sinclair 80), Maris.
Venue: Keepmoat Stadium (7,040)
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc George Lapslie the two goal Stags hero.
