Mansfield Town

Despite starting the game well and performing confidently in periods, John Dempster's men met a clinical South Yorkshire side on the day who scored the goals to edge past the Stags.

 

Alistair Smith had an early chance to put Mansfield ahead which was blocked, but the visitors couldn't make their pressure tell and Doncaster took the lead on 25 minutes.

 

Will Longbottom found himself in a one-on-one situation and came out on top, slotting the ball home into the corner to give his side the advantage against the run of play.

 

Stags looked to respond quickly and Cain Smith headed Teddy Bloor's cross just wide of the post as they tried to defend their excellent unbeaten league run.

 

 

Stags began the second period in the same way they started the first, but the Rovers' defence were in a stubborn mood. However, Kane Harrison nearly got the away side back on level terms after a free-kick fell into his path, but his effort went wide.

 

And in their quest for the equaliser, Mansfield pushed men forward and were duly punished in a cruel fashion as the hosts sprung on the counter-attack. Mathew Parkin beat his man in the box and produced a confident finish past Sam Wilson to seal the three points despite an encouraging display from Dempster's youngsters.

 

Doncaster Rovers XI: Iveson, Greasley, Carberry (Walker 71’), Barker, Mbuti, Fielding, Parkin, Linley, Pugh, McCormick (Henderson 81’), Longbottom. 

Doncaster subs not used:  Jones, Morris 

Mansfield Town XI: Wilson, Bloor, Danquah, C. Smith, Ratcliffe, Harrison, Marriott (Doherty 70’), Healey, Blake, A. Smith (Brittijn 47’), Hakeem. 

Mansfield subs not used: Bishop, Shaw, Behailu.