Mansfield Town 2-0 Crawley Town (EFL League Two) 23.04.22
Mansfield Town are back in the playoff places after a 2-0 win against Crawley who were reduced to ten men in the latter stages of the second half. Nigel Clough’s men are back to sixth in the table after a much-needed three points takes them three clear of eighth and ninth place Salford and Tranmere both on 69 with both just two games to play as Mansfield edge nearer a playoff place with three games of the season remaining.
Two wins now should guarantee the Stags get an opportunity to fight for promotion but that is unlikely to be via the automatic route with third place Northampton already four points clear of the men from Field Mill.
A Jamie Murphy goal on 26 minutes set Mansfield on their way, his first goal for the club, a sweet volley past Morris following a cracking delivery by Hewitt.
That’s how it stayed until the later stages of the second half, Oates earlier going close forcing a good save by the goalkeeper before Murphy had a second opportunity cleared off the line, Crawley then reduced to ten after Tilley fouled McLaughlin inside the Stags area on 69, a second yellow for the former Brighton & Hove Albion youngster.
Two minutes later from that, Mansfield were two up when Atkins nodded home a McLaughlin centre and the Stags comfortably saw out the victory with a man advantage.
After the match, Stags Coach Andy Garner stated “I thought we were excellent today against a good side. We had to be at our best and I think at times we played some fantastic football.”
Midfielder George Maris who returned to the side, speaking after, stating “It’s exciting. It’s nice to be playing for something at this stage of the season, hopefully we win the three remaining matches and get this team promoted.”
Mansfield Town: Bishop, Hewitt, O‘Toole, Perch, McLaughlin, Longstaff, Quinn (Lapslie 82), Maris (Wallace 79), Murphy, Oates (Bowery 84), Akins.
Crawley Town: Morris, Davies (Oteh 56), Francomb (Marshall 73), Nichols, Tilley, Francillette, Ferry, Tunnicliffe, Lynch, Hessenthaler, Hutchinson.
Venue: Field Mill (5,022)
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc the Stags celebrate Lucas Akins second half goal.
