Moses Ashikodi struck in the 87th minute to break Mansfield hearts, after the Stags had dominated most of the contest and led via a sensational Kevin Sandwith free kick in the first half.

The late equaliser was rough justice on Mansfield, who treated their fans to a first half of penetrative football, and a second goal would surely have been enough to seal the points.  But it never came.

Stags started brightly, continuing their fine form from Saturday's 3-1 win at Kidderminster Harriers.  Luke Medley, who shone at Aggborough three days ago, earned a starting berth in attack.  As did Kevin Sandwith, who replaced Paul Stonehouse at left back after the ex-Forest Green man picked up a thigh strain in yesterday's training session.  Sandwith would make his mark later on in the match but it was Medley who was given the opportunities early on.

In the opening five minutes, he was unable to connect a Paul Connor cross.  But moments later he got on the end of a route one ball from Chris Smith in defence and, despite being through on goal, was unable to strike the ball cleanly.

Striker Paul Connor headed wide from a finely drilled Gary Mills corner on 18 minutes as Mansfield continued to press.

Their reward followed two minutes later after Connor was fouled outside the box.  Kevin Sandwith opened the scoring by floating the ball expertly over the wall and into the corner of the goal, leaving Nathan Abbey to clutch fresh air.  It was a superb effort from 23 yards to send the supporters into pandemonium.

Kettering were forced to camp in their own half for most of the first period and had to resort to pot shots at goal in their rare attacks forward, such as Greg Taylor's 25 yard drive which did little to trouble Alan Marriott in the Stags goal.

Mansfield racked up five corners in the opening half-hour and maintained encouraging pressure.

Abbey was soon called upon to deny Paul Connor's first time shot

Mansfield kept up their positive pressure at the start of the second period but took their foot of the gas midway inside the second half.  Kettering, in contrast, surged forward in greater numbers, and played with three in attack as opposed to their defensive 4-5-1 first half formation.

Adam Smith drilled a low shot wide following fine play by captain Steve Foster who won the ball well in midfield before delivering a fine pass to the left wing.

On 50 minutes, Kevin Sandwith tried to replicate the result of his first half free kick, but this was a tougher task from 30 yards, and his shot flew over the angle.

Keigan Parker then replaced Luke Medley in attack with an hour played.

Gary Silk, of all people, almost secured victory, but Kettering had Abbey to thank.  Gary Mills played a beautifully weighted pass into the path of Silk, who, in the area, struck first time, but was denied by the Kettering goalkeeper.

Keigan Parker half-hit the ball from close range after the resulting corner.

In an uncommon Kettering attack, ex Mansfield defender Luke Graham rifled a shot at goal, but Alan Marriott beat the ball away as the clock ticked down.