Mansfield Town

The month began with yet more away day misery, as we went head-to-head with Cambridge United in what was Richard Money's first game in The U's dugout. 

On a miserable afternoon, in which Solomon Taiwo made his only Stags appearance, we fell to a disappointing 4-1 defeat.

Jake Speight’s consolation brought little cheer for the travelling contingent of 209, but John Thompson, who was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg, was later discovered to have sustained severe bruising.

Two successive home matches then heralded four points and, equally as importantly, two clean sheets.

Goalkeeper Liam Mitchell, signed on an emergency one-month loan from Notts County, kept his first shut-out in a drab goalless draw with David Holdsworth’s Lincoln City.

Four days later, our side looked set for their second stalemate in as many matches until Matt Rhead’s powerful last-minute header sealed an important 1-0 win over Forest Green Rovers. 

Away from Blue Square Bet Premier action, our FA Cup with Budweiser campaign began with a gruelling Fourth Round Qualifying trek to Workington.

Jake Speight was again our scorer; his well-taken brace settling a tight encounter, though the spirited hosts wasted numerous gilt-edge opportunities to cause a cup upset.

Nevertheless, October was to end on a downer for the Stags.

In a televised Friday night clash at Dartford, which was also our first ever visit to the eco-friendly Princes Park Stadium, two quick-fire goals condemned us to another loss.

Elliott Bradbrook and Ryan Hayes were the Darts scorers, as Tony Burman’s part-timers left us six points adrift of the Play-Off zone with 15 league matches played. 

Also in October:

- Midfielder Solomon Taiwo joined us on a short-term deal.

- Captain Adam Murray made his 400th career league appearance against Lincoln City.

- England’s Under 18’s defeated Italy in a non-competitive clash at One Call Stadium.