Mansfield Town

Boss Adam Murray named the same starting 11 that had drawn 1-1 with Oxford United seven days previously, with Stags enjoying a full week's preparation for this fixture for the first time this season. 

York started brightly and had Stags' on the back foot early on. 

Within six minutes, Russ Wilcox's side had broken the deadlock following a free kick conceded down the Mansfield right. 

The kick, taken by Luke Summerfield, found Reece Thompson whose deft touch guided the ball home from close range..

On 12 minutes, Stags' midfielder Mitchell Rose let fly from 18 yards and it was deflected out for Stags’ first corner of the game. From the resulting set-piece, Chapman placed the ball into the area where Matt Green was on hand to slot home from short range.  

Five minutes later, Chris Clements received the first booking of the game following a foul on the half way line when he kicked the ball away, delaying the restart of play.

After the eager start from the home side, the equaliser certainly gave Stags confidence and from a Craig Westcarr cross from the right, Green was only inches away from giving Stags the lead. A little later Stags were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the City area, but despite the continued away team pressure, it came to nothing.

Stags were to find their reward for good play on the half-hour mark when a fine through ball from midfield by Rose saw Matt Green race away and with the City defence on the backspin he fired in an unstoppable shot giving the City keeper Flinders no chance whatsoever as Stags made the breakthrough.

In the 35th minute, York created a chance following some good work down the City left with Reece Thompson, resulting in the first chance of the game for ex Stags striker Vadaine Oliver, but his outstretched effort flew wide.

Both sides were creating chances; Reggie Lambe firing well over for Mansfield after good work, whilst the home side tried desperately to get back into what was developing into an entertaining encounter.

Just before the half-time whistle, Matt Green was given a chance to complete his hat-trick, but the Minstermen’s keeper read the situation and cleared away the danger from just outside his area.

City made a change for the start of the second half, as Ben Godfrey came on for Summerfield. 

Stags re-started brightly, with a long range Mitchell Rose shot that was fumbled by Scott Flinders earning Stags a corner that came to nothing. 

Adam Murray's side were playing with confidence at this point in the game. Rose drew cries for a penalty from the Stags’ following in the 52nd minute but referee Harrington waved away any appeal. Minutes later Westcarr went down in the area but again, the referee gave nothing.

On the hour mark Stags made their first change with Jack Thomas coming on for the industrious Mitchell Rose.

York then forced a chance but after a good cross Oliver’s header hit the impressive Ryan Tafazolli instead of forcing Brian Jensen into a save. 

City, desperately in search of an equaliser, sent on their second substitute, with Emile Sinclair making it three up top for Russ Wilcox’s men.

Then, a free kick by Mal Benning from Stags' right hand side came to nothing and was grabbed in mid-air by the home keeper. 

Moments later Wilcox threw on Josh Carson for goalscorer Thompson. This was City’s last throw of the dice and Stags responded from the touchline as Lee Collins replaced Reggie Lambe to bring added defensive stability.

City won a corner and although Femi Ilesanmi got on the end of it, the outrushing Jensen put him off and his header drifted harmlessly over.

Green then caused a flutter when he was put through, but the home keeper dived well at his feet, denying the number 10 the chance of the matchball.

With only four minutes remaining of normal time, good work by Benning set up Matt Green who delightfully laid the ball back to Clements, whose long range effort grazed the bottom right hand post.

Westcarr, who had moments before been on the end of a rough challenge in midfield, was replaced by Chris Beardsley on 89 minutes.

There was shock in the away end when the 4th official held up the board for an incredible seven minutes of added on time. 

City then forced a corner which was cleared only as far as Carson, whose ball back into the box was not met by any attacking York player.

As time ran out Matt Green won a free kick close to the corner flag which eventually resulted in Stags winning a flag kick. From York’s breakaway Benning put the ball out for a throw-in, but held onto the ball, which saw him given a yellow card from the referee.

The final whistle was greeted with cheers from the Stags following of 632. It was been a justified well earned victory for Adam Murray's Mansfield, whose shape and discipline were tested in equal measure in a game which underlined their early season promise.