Mansfield Town 2-0 Stevenage (EFL League Two) 26.04.22
Mansfield Town made it back to back two-nil wins after seeing off lowly Stevenage at Field Mill to move closer to securing a playoff place whilst putting pressure on Northampton Town in the last of the automatic slots.
A tightly contested opening half had the home side enjoying much of the possession without seeing chance of any real breakthrough, Maris trying his luck from distance well wide on 14 minutes after Akins had earlier headed over the bar, the best Mansfield could rustle up in an underwhelming opening 45 for Nigel Clough’s men.
Stevenage in fact, creating the best chances of a goalless first half, McLaughlin forced to head away a dangerous cross inside his own box on 23, before Norris forced a top fingertip save by Bishop on 36 the best moment by far.
The second half however started much better for the Stags, two minutes in Maris curled a fine effort wide before Lapslie got in a great position to drill home left footed on 51, the home fans going wild after the midfielder netted his third goal in six games.
Not prepared to rest on their laurels, Mansfield went in search of a second and Akins went close to doubling the home sides advantage, whisking an effort wide of the post with an instinctive touch. But in the last minute, Mansfield did get goal number two, Matty Longstaff on hand, finishing off low in the bottom corner of Pym’s net.
The win takes the Stags to 75 points with two games remaining, they’ll need one more win to secure themselves in the playoffs this season for sure, but with one eye on third place Northampton, the Cobblers are just a point ahead of Mansfield and Nigel Clough’s men are not out of the automatic race quite yet.
Mansfield Town: Bishop, Hewitt, O’Toole, Perch, McLaughlin, Longstaff, Maris (Wallace 72), Lapslie, Murphy (Bowery 90), Akins, Oates (Hawkins 87).
Stevenage: Pym, Wildin, Cuthbert, Vancooten, Coker, Taylor, Bostwick, Read (Lines 60), Reid, Norris (Daly 46), List (Andrade 72).
Venue: Field Mill (5,086)
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Lucas Akins battles for the ball against Stevenage.
