A last-gasp strike from Tyrese Sinclair helped Stags to a 2-1 victory in this evening’s pre-season friendly at Alfreton.
In second-half stoppage time, Sinclair struck low into the bottom corner, adding to Nathan Caine’s 80th minute header.
Alfreton took the lead earlier in the second-half, in a match which Mansfield enjoyed a slight edge.
Stags’ boss Nigel Clough fielded a largely youthful starting XI, with tomorrow’s friendly at Hull City also in mind.
In the fourth minute, Tom Allan’s 18-yard shot was deflected over the bar and behind for an Alfreton corner.
Three minutes later, Jason Law – playing on the left of a midfield diamond - floated a cross into the hands of the home goalkeeper in Stags’ first meaningful attack.
At the other end from an Alfreton corner, defender Farrend Rawson bravely flung himself into a powerful effort from Dayle Southwell to prevent Stags’ ‘keeper Marek Stech from being called upon.
Stags’ striker Jordan Bowery played a neat one-two with George Scott in and around the box before forcing a parried save from the ‘keeper. But Jimmy Knowles was unable to convert the follow-up.
On 15, Bowery then turned provider, drifting one in for Tyrese Sinclair to head at the goalkeeper.
Stech touched the ball for the first time in the 21st minute when he gathered easily from a low attempt from Southwell.
Ryan Burke was then shown a yellow card for a challenge on Shaun Tuton.
Tom Allan missed a glaring chance near the back post when he headed back across the face of the Stags’ goal, when it looked easier to score. And after Mansfield cleared, Lund’s sizzling effort flew wide.
On 27, Rawson headed goalwards to rattle the bar after connecting with an inch-perfect corner from Sinclair.
With 15 first half minute remaining, James Clarke delivered from the right and Bowery nodded into the. palms of Willis.
Tuton went into the referee’s notebook for a late challenge on George Scott, before Ryan Burke lashed over the bar from 18 yards with the last attempt of the first half.
Corey O’Keeffe replaced Jason Law in the only change at half-time.
Sinclair almost broke the deadline within 50 seconds of the restart.
As it was played back to goalkeeper Willis, Sinclair charged him down superbly, leading to the pair racing towards the home goal to chase the loose ball. Sinclair got there first, but was put off enough by the back-tracking ‘keeper to send it into the side netting from the left of the goal area.
Soon after, Clarke supplied Bowery, who forced a one-handed save from the ‘keeper with 51 minutes played.
Allan almost turned one into his net when Clarke delivered a dangerous cross from the right.
Alfreton broke the deadlock from a corner in the 56th minute.
From Bobby Johnson’s flag-kick, Allan’s bullet header was too hot to handle for Stech, who got a hand to it but not enough to prevent a goal.
On the hour, academy full-back Taylor Anderson replaced Ryan Burke.
Stech got down low to deny a shot from an Alfreton trialist, who blasted the follow up over the bar.
And in th 71st minute, Sinclair sent a curling effort beyond the far post.
With 15 minutes left, Jordan Bowery and Farrend Rawson made way for Jack Deakin and Nathan Caine.
Caine made an instant impact to draw Stags level in the 80th minute.
Anderson floated a lovely ball into the box for the teenage frontman to nod past the goalkeeper.
Clarke flashed a shot over the bar as Stags searched for a winner.
Alfreton were far from down and out and Stech had to get down to his left to push away a longe range drive from an Alfreton trialist.
An audacious 35-yard free kick from Sinclair sailed over the bar with five minutes left.
But he made amends in time added on.
After a well-placed back-slide from Ward, Sinclair found with the net with a fine low-shot to win it for Mansfield.
ALFRETON: Willis, Clackstone (Willey 78’), Lund, Trialist (Stewart 52’), Branson (Trialist 69’), Allan, Southwell, Evans (Triliast 75’), Rhead (Grice 76’), Johnson (Trialist 61’), Tuton (Molyneux 66)
UNUSED SUBS: Smith-Eccles, Reeves, Bradley
STAGS: Stech, J. Clarke, Rawson (Deakin 75’), Cooper, Burke (Anderson 60’), Ward, G. Scott, Law (O’Keeffe 46’),, Sinclair, Bowery (Caine 75’), Knowles
UNUSED SUBS: Mason, O. Clarke, Gordon
ATTENDANCE: 547
REFEREE: D. Middleton
