Mansfield 2-2 Northampton: Match Report

28 March 2016 17:34

Northampton recover from two-goal deficit to earn point at 10-man Mansfield

Leaders Northampton staged a second-half fightback to earn a 2-2 draw at 10-man Mansfield.

Matt Green scored twice in the opening 16 minutes to give Mansfield a 2-0 lead but a controversial second yellow card for Stags midfielder Jamie McGuire in first-half stoppage time helped turn the game.

Substitute Ricky Holmes fired in from the spot before John Marquis levelled the game with 22 minutes left.



Mansfield started the brighter of the two sides in difficult conditions and were rewarded with a two-goal burst, both from free-kicks.

The first, in the 12th minute, saw Mal Benning bend the ball in from the right and Green planted home a firm header from five yards.

And four minutes later Chris Clements' cross from the left was glanced past Adam Smith by Green.

It took the visitors 44 minutes to fashion a chance as Danny Rose fired over. But in the fourth minute of added time referee Darren Handley adjudged McGuire's challenge on Marquis a foul and gave him a second booking.

Within seconds Scott Shearer had to tip over a Zander Diamond header and in the 58th minute Holmes saw his 30-yard shot come down off the crossbar but not over the line.

Northampton finally pulled one back in the 64th minute as Holmes buried his penalty after James Collins went down under Lee Collins' challenge.

Soon after it was 2-2 as Shearer failed to claim Rose's corner and Marquis rammed the loose ball from close range.

Northampton poured forward for a winner, but Stags stood firm.


Source: PA