Owain Thomas reports from Field Mill
The Stags maintained their unbeaten home record under David Holdsworth with a hard-fought and physical goalless draw against a combative Kettering Town side, in front of Field Mill's biggest crowd of the season so far.
It was Mansfield who looked most likely to break the deadlock throughout much of the contest, and they even had a goal disallowed, but as time wore on Kettering began to sit deeper and pack midfield as they appeared happy to settle for a point.
It was Rob Duffy who had the ball in the net for Mansfield just before half-time, but his effort was ruled-out for a handball as he bundled in Kyle Perry's knock-down.
Referee Lee Metcalfe's decision prompted an angry response from the striker, who was booked for his troubles, but it was clear Duffy's reaction summed up much of the 4,034 crowd's feelings as well. They felt the Stags were hard done by throughout, as Metcalfe also waved away two penalty appeals.
The game was played at a tremendous pace, with both sides passing well and looking to attack when possible, but all too often, Mansfield were unable to find the right key to unlock the visitors physical back line.
Ryan Williams, who re-claimed his spot after being dropped in favour of Jake Speight on Saturday, looked a constant threat on the left, while Louis Briscoe's right wing trickery came so close to opening up the Poppies on several occasions.
However, with Kettering crowding out the Stags forwards and midfield, Mansfield were forced to pump long balls forward more often than manager David Holdsworth would have liked. Kyle Perry had an almighty battle with Ian Roper and Exodus Geohaghan at the heart of the visitors defence, but Mansfield's big striker couldn't make the most of his one real chance as he volleyed Williams' cross over while unmarked, just 8 yds out.
By half-time the battle scars were already showing, as Mansfield had been forced to replace Craig Armstrong, who just minutes before made a fine challenge inside his own box, and two Kettering players emerged decked in bandages from knocks to the head.
That physical contest continued after the break as both sides left everything on the pitch. Luke Jones was named Man of the Match for his battle with James McPike and Gareth Seddon, while Luke Graham impressed when coming off the bench to replace Armstrong. Making his Stags debut against his former side, and playing out of position at left back, Graham dealt comfortably with the Kettering attacks that came his way.
It was from Geohagan's long throws that the Poppies were most likely to score, although Alan Marriott in the Stags goal controlled his area well, catching or punching clear when necessary. In fact, Marriott's only real save came 38 minutes in from John Dempster, which he did well to acrobatically tip over.
Matt Somner had a long-range effort well saved by Lee Harper, while Briscoe and second-half substitute Daryl Clare were unlucky not to break the deadlock late on. Kettering's only real spell of control came in the final ten minutes, but they could have nicked all three points if Lee Fowler's cross had been just a few inches closer to Gareth Seddon or Damian Spencer who were lurking with the goal gaping.
Both teams will be reasonably pleased with a point, and Mansfield have now kept five clean sheets this season. It seems certain that these two sides will be pushing each other hard come April as they both look capable of taking a play-off place. That point keeps the Stags in second place, hot on the heels of leaders Oxford United.
Attendance: 4,034 (249 from Kettering)
Mansfield Town: Alan Marriott, Luke Jones, Scott Garner, Louis Briscoe, Matt Somner, Rob Duffy, Ryan Williams, Craig Armstrong, Gary Silk, Kyle Perry, Kyle Nix.
Subs: Tim Sandercombe, Gary Mills, Daryl Clare, Luke Graham, Jake Speight.
Kettering Town: Lee Harper, James Jennings, Ian Roper, John Dempster, Lee Fowler, Patrick Noubissie, Andre Boucaud, James McPike, Gareth Seddon, Danny Thomas, Exodus Geohagan.
Subs: Darren Wrack, Francis Green, Damian Spencer, Greg Taylor.
