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Rob Wheldon at Boothferry Park Stags were once
again without any central defenders for the clash with crisis club Hull City,
once again boss Billy Dearden had decided against bringing in any central
defensive cover on loan - surprising when Hull boasted giant striker Kevin
Francis in their ranks. Asher and Robinson continued at centre back whilst
the only change from the match on Saturday was that Clarke replaced
Disley. Hull were without former Stags Steve Harper who had abandoned ship
and moved to Darlington a few days earlier. The game was played in front
of a large vociferous home support, indicative of the fact that the next day a
very important decision was to be made about the future of the club. Stags should have taken the lead in the opening minutes when Shayne Bradley ran on to a Blake through ball only to see Hull keeper Musslewhite save with his feet. Moments later Hull had their first attempt on goal and inevitably the danger came from a Francis header, Mimms forced to tip over from 8 yards. More chaos was created in the Stags area on ten minutes but two Hull players went for the same cross and the ball dropped gently to Mimms. Stags lack of height at the back, as many suspected, was proving to be an early weakness and with keeper Mimms seemingly unable to rescue the situation Hull looked likely to score from these situations. So it proved on the half hour when Francis ghosted in unmarked to head home Phillpott's left wing cross. Stags were at the time of the goal down to ten men as Clarke was off the pitch receiving treatment, in the end he couldn't continue and was replaced by Disley. However, the home side's lead didn't last long and the excellent Corden was responsible for a terrific equaliser. Given a free kick on the edge of the Hull box Corden neatly flighted the ball over the assembling wall and with keeper Musslewhite unsighted and unmoved the ball hit the back of the net - an excellent quick free kick and really perhaps justice as the Stags had contributed to a decent opening half. A rare Robinson error let in Rowe but the speedy striker saw his shot go wide. Near the end of the half more exciting Corden wing play saw Bradley head the winger's cross over the bar. Stags forced a succession of corners but despite an excellent near post flick by Hassell were unable to capitalise on the pressure. Half Time 1-1 The opening 20
minutes or so of the second half were evenly contested in a midfield
battle. Neither keeper was tested and the closest either side came to a
goal was when Mann hit the side netting after a fine run at goal. The
whole match was virtually decided on 69 minutes when Hassell fouled Rowe in the
area. Whilst it certainly looked the correct decision to give the penalty
the subsequent decision to send off Hassell was extraordinarily harsh and the
referee was quite clearly influenced by the home fans baying for blood.
Indeed, once more the officials were totally inept. Rowe sent Mimms the
wrong way with the kick to put Hull back in front. Stags introduced
Boulding and Lawrence late on but A reasonable
performance by the Stags, though the marking was non-existent for Hull's opener
it was always going to be tough defending against a player a good foot taller
than the Stags defence. The sending off of Hassell was extremely harsh,
though it has to be said it was a needless challenge as Mimms had narrowed the
angle well. Robinson and Asher had decent games in the middle of the
defence, and both full backs did their jobs well until Hassell's
dismissal. The midfield were disappointing, Clarke never got into the
match prior to his injury and then Disley was too careless in possession, Blake
had little effect on the game throughout, neither did Williams on the
right. The one shining light in the Stags midfield was Wayne Corden, now
in excellent form and possibly had his best league game for the Stags.
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despite
a couple of long range efforts from Boulding it was really too little too
late. Stags poured forward near the end but desperate Hull defending kept
the visitors at bay as Hull claimed their 4th successive victory.