Stagettes’ forward Jess Machin bagged two goals as Mansfield Town Ladies beat Nottingham Forest Ladies' Reserves 4-2 after extra-time on Sunday in the Notts County Cup.
It was a nail-biting affair between the two sides with Machin’s brace the highlight as Abbey Hawkins and Androulla Kokkinou scored the other goals.
The Stagettes will now take on Premier League opposition in the shape of Nottingham Forest Ladies’ first team in the next round.
Mansfield started the game on the front foot against their opponents and looked a completely different side to the one that edged the victory over Arnold last week.
Lewis Saxby had selection issues due to players being cup-tied, meaning midfielder Kasie-Louise Coyle was forced to be the goalkeeper for the afternoon.
Mansfield opened the scoring after only 14 minutes when Abbey Hawkins was able to coolly finish after being put through on goal by a header flicked on by Jemma Douglas.
They nearly doubled the lead before half-time when Hawkins’ corner was turned onto the post by Douglas.
Mansfield doubled their lead after 73 minutes when Machin tapped in after the goalkeeper could only fumble a long Emma Day free-kick.
Their two goal cushion only lasted three minutes as Forest soon got one back, as a deep cross was lobbed over the Mansfield goalkeeper and into the net.
There was a strong wind throughout the match and it assisted Forest in getting a late equaliser. The Reds’ left-back was able to hit a ball from 35 yards which ended up looping over stand-in ‘keeper Coyle to force the tie into extra-time.
With Mansfield using their sole substitution early in the second half due to an injury to Hawkins, they had to push through extra-time with tired legs.
They managed to get the decisive goal when Androulla Kokkinou was able to convert from close range after going one-on-one with the Forest 'keeper.
The Stagettes were then able to seal the victory with the last kick of the game as Machin grabbed her second after a scramble ensued in the box.
