Mansfield Town 2-2 Hartlepool United (EFL League Two) 30.09.22

Mansfield Town let a two goal lead slip to draw with lowly Hartlepool United in a Friday night classic which went the distance at Field Mill.

A sensational nine second half minutes’ saw three goals scored whilst the Stags conceded late on to share spoils with their visitors from the North East who move off the bottom of the table to 23rd with their point.

Early chances for Gordon and Clarke were spurned as Mansfield hit the off on the front foot. Gordon’s attempt blocked on four as Clarke shot over from distance on seven.

Further sniffs for Maris and Akins were off target in between McLaughlin testing Killip at the near post. Akin then struck powerfully at the goalkeeper from the edge of the area, Killip equal to the task, also saving the rebound from McLaughlin.

On 34 the Stags had the ball in the net but Quinn’s effort was ruled out for offside, on the stroke of half time Pym brilliantly saved from Murray to deny Hartlepool with their best opportunity to take the lead.

Mansfield took the lead six minutes into the second half as Gordon crossed to Lapslie who volleyed home, and after a couple of chances they were 2-0 up when Riley Harbottle slotted home after the ball dropped invitingly at his feet on 59.

Two minutes later, substitute Josh Umerah, who had only been on the field for one minute, pulled one back for the visitors, before pressure mounted for a leveller, Cooke testing Pym with a free kick on 80 before Umerah struck again late on to equalise for Keith Curle’s side.

A frustrating result in the end for Mansfield who having played a game more than most of their opponents stay sixth in the division. Manager Nigel Clough saying after “I thought we missed two or three very good chances and I thought we probably should have put the game to bed by half-time. We came out the second half, got the two goals and then we really should be more professional.”

Mansfield Town: Pym, Gordon (Bowery 83), Hewitt, Hawkins, Harbottle (Perch 90), McLaughlin, Clarke, Maris (Law 90), Quinn (Wallace 86), Lapslie (Swan 83), Akins.

Hartlepool United: Killip, Tumilty (Patterson 46), Murray, Lacey, Menayese, Ferguson, Sylla (Oduor 89), Shelton (Umerah 61), Crawford, McDonald (Hamilton 75), Ndjoli (Cooke 46).

Venue: Field Mill (6,891)

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc action from an entertaining night at the One Call Stadium.