Mansfield Town 3-2 Hartlepool United (EFL League Two) 26.12.21

Nigel Clough’s Stags continued their stunning form of late to go a point below the playoff places, but they did it the hard way, coming from two goals down to beat Hartlepool United at the One Call Stadium.

Luke Molyneux gave the away side a first half lead before Nicky Featherstone doubled Hartlepool’s advantage just six minutes into the second half, but this Mansfield team of late have backbone and fighting spirit, with confidence to never give up in search of getting their result.

JJ O’Toole pulled one back on 55 minutes just four minutes after the North Easterners had taken a two goal lead, and that lead was completely taken out when Jordan Bowery netted just his second league goal of the season on 62.

Back level it took Mansfield just four minutes to complete the turnaround as George Maris made it 3-2 on 66 and it was the home side who held on for the remaining 24 minutes plus injuries as Hartlepool were blown away in eleven minutes of sizzling Stags scoring goals.

After the match, first goalscorer for Mansfield, JJ O’Toole stated “We always kept believing” whilst Manager Nigel Clough said, “To comeback from 2-0 down gives everybody a lot of confidence”.

Clough stated “We kept going forward and that’s how we try to play” but worryingly suggested ahead of the Stags next match against Harrogate Town on Wednesday night, “We only have 14 fit outfield players and none of the injuries will be back in time”.

Pushed to the limits, Mansfield will at least feel confident following recent good form that has pushed the side to the brink of the playoffs so plenty to play for running through to 2022.

Mansfield Town: Bishop, Hewitt, Rawson, Hawkins, McLaughlin, O’Toole, Maris (Sinclair 81), Law, Stirk, Oates (Gale 89), Bowery.

Hartlepool United: Killip, Sterry (Ogle 52), Odusina, Liddle, Byrne, Ferguson, Featherstone, Shelton, Daly (Holohan 76), Cullen (Burey 63), Molyneux.

Venue: Field Mill

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc George Maris celebrates his winning goal.