Mansfield Town 2-1 Exeter City (EFL League Two) 04.03.22

Mansfield Town moved into the top three of the table overnight after beating Exeter City at the One Call Stadium to stretch the clubs unbeaten run to fourteen in the league and equal a winning home streak that dates back to 1949.

Exeter had the best chance early on as Kieran Phillips danced his way into the box before being denied by the hugely reliable Nathan Bishop who fisted the strikers effort away from danger and behind for a corner.

The Stags didn’t have too long to wait before getting on the scoresheet, Rhys Oates crossing in to Farrend Rawson who was on hand to tap home from close range on 34.

In search of a leveller, Bishop got down brilliantly to deny Josh Coley not once, but twice. The Stags goalkeeper saving the Grecians midfielders low volley before denying him at the near post on the rebound.

That save proving costly for Mansfield who took full advantage. On 67 minutes, good hold up play by Bowery led to him passing to McLaughlin who crossed low into the box and there was Matty Longstaff waiting to place him his second Stags goal in as many matches.

Oates turned and swivelled a volley wide late on before Exeter gave Mansfield the latest of scares, a looping cross into the box by Key was palmed out by Bishop but only to the feet of Matt Jay who blasted home in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time.

The win equals a record dating back to 1949 and a tenth successive home victory for Mansfield, a fourteenth without defeat and although it might be temporary at least, even better to be sitting in the top three of the table on Saturday morning.

Saying proudly after, Manager Nigel Clough delighted with his teams performance, said “To break a record that stood for 70 odd years is pretty special.”

“It seems to be that sort of season; I hope it is come the 7th of May.”

Mansfield Town: Bishop, Akins, Rawson, Hewitt, McLaughlin, Longstaff (Lapslie 79), Stirk, Quinn (Wallace 83), Bowery, Oates (Perch 90), Murphy.

Exeter City: Dawson, Sweeney, Stubbs, Grounds (Sparkes 74), Key, Collins, Dieng, Caprice, Jay, Coley (Zanzala 78), Phillips (Nombe 62).

Venue: Field Mill (6,702)

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Matty Longstaff celebrates his second Stags goal.