Mansfield Town’s under-18s fell to a late defeat in their EFL Youth Alliance fixture at home to Scunthorpe United at the weekend.
After a positive first-half for the Stags, the visitors took the lead against the run of play early in the second period.
Despite Jack Deakin firing in an equaliser from the spot, it was the Iron who would take all three points after a late goal.
Mansfield’s young guns enjoyed plenty of possession early on, crafting the first chance of the game after ten minutes.
McKeal Abdullah whipped in a superb cross from the left, before a defensive header fell to Olly Wilson at the edge of the area.
Wilson fed the ball to Deakin, who forced a fine save from the Scunthorpe goalkeeper with a first-time volley. The save fell back to Wilson, who headed over the bar from six yards.
The visitors began to grow into the game, and on 20 minutes forced a routine save from Owen Mason following a long-range effort.
Five minutes later, Taylor Anderson beat his man for pace before crossing to Wilson, who volleyed over.
Into the second-half, and Scunthorpe took the lead inside the first five minutes. A corner towards the back post caused issues for the young Stags, resulting in a tap-in to make it 1-0.
A sublime pass from Anderson presented Deakin with a chance at goal, but the striker was fouled in the box before he could get away his strike.
Deakin assumed responsibility of the spot kick, firing low into the bottom left corner for his first goal of the season.
Both sides showed great courage to push for the winner, resulting in an end-to-end contest in the closing stages.
Countering a Stags’ attack, the visitors snatched all three points on the break. An interception in midfield allowed the Iron to send bodies upfield, leading to a deflected shot that left Mason helpless.
The under-18s’ next fixture is away to Oldham Athletic on Saturday 21 August.
STAGS' XI: Mason, Anderson, Pitts, Collins, Wauchope, Carter, Abdullah (Flanagan 82’), Davies ©, Bouch (Hurdis 67’), Deakin, Wilson (Edwards 63’).
UNUSED SUBS: Turner, Hill-Smith.
