A BUMPER away following saw Mansfield Town lose 2-1 away at Braintree Town this afternoon.
Around 1000 Stags fans travelled to Essex to watch their side but Town couldn't repay their fans' support with the victory they needed.
Town boss Paul Cox rewarded the players who brushed off Macclesfield Town on Tuesday night by naming a completely unchanged first eleven and subs bench in an attack-minded 4-2-3-1 formation.
The Stags showed their intent from the off and Matt Green put the away side in the lead with just seven minutes played. The striker fired home confidently after being put through by a Lee Beevers chipped long ball.
And 25 minutes into the first half, Green had a gilt-edged chance to double his side's lead after Anthony Howell slipped him through on goal. The striker's driven shot cannoned back off the left hand post though.
Despite Stags' dominance from the first half continuing into the second, Braintree levelled the scores at the hour mark. Left back Sam Habergham crossed to the edge of the box, where Matt Paine met the ball first time and finished low and hard past Alan Marriott.
With twenty five minutes left to play, Mansfield fans were disconsolate as Braintree had the ball in the net following a mazy dribble and tidy finish from James Mulley. However, the referee ruled the goal out for a foul on John Dempster.
The home side did take the lead after 71 minutes however. A high and deep cross from Habergham was nodded home at the far post by Kaine Sheppard.
The Stags so nearly levelled the scores with fifteen minutes to play. A long throw caused panic in the Braintree box but Adam Murray missed the target with his head from 5 yards.
And Town had a last chance to grab a point from the game two minutes from time. A long throw from Adam Chapman was nodded backwards by substitute Matt Rhead, but the home goalkeeper tipped athletically over the bar.
On day of difficult conditions for both teams, the Stags were unable to find a leveller and the game finished at 2-1.
The Stags now have two games left to win the league and will travel to Hereford on Tuesday desperate for a win.
↧