Saturday 27th October 2001 - kick off 3pm

Nationwide League Division 3

Attendance: 4, 937

Stags were without key duo skipper Les Robinson and eleven goal striker Chris Greenacre for the tough trip to in-form Rushden & Diamonds.  Adam Barrett came in for his first start of the season and Jason White returned to partner Shayne Bradley in attack.  Mark Peters, who played over 200 games for the Stags, was in the Diamonds defence, with former Hull striker Duane Darby in attack.  

The Stags began strongly and as early as the 2nd minute threatened, Lawrence firing a left foot half volley over the bar from 18 yards.  Just a couple of minutes later the Stags were ahead, Bradley firing home a volley from close range, his first goal of the season in just his second start since his return from injury.  A minute later and Barrett came up with a great challenge to block Partridge's effort but the Stags continued to press and out pass the home side, Hassell's right wing cross almost finding the head of Disley but Turley intercepted.  Disley then broke through the middle of the Diamonds defence but when just about to shoot Peters made a good challenge, the ball fell to Williamson but his attempted lob was easy for Turley.   However, just after the half hour mark and against the run of play disaster hit the Stags.  Sambrook's cross was headed across the goal by Darby, Pilkington seemed to hesitate and Hassell trying to cover headed the ball into his own net.  The disaster was compounded when just 3 minutes later Diamonds were undeservedly ahead, Barrett's headed clearance falling straight to Burgess on the edge of the area who hit a fine volley past Pilkington.  The Stags were still forging forward and dominating the midfield area, White's header forcing a decent save by Turley but when the keeper lost the ball no Stags player was on hand to tap home.  Corden then picked the ball up ran 40 yards before cutting inside and firing a low shot which Turley saved easily.  Corden again broke down the left on 45 minutes, found Bradley whose shot flew over the bar.  Incredibly despite dominating the Stags went in a goal behind at half time.

Half Time:  2-1

Once again the Stags came out firing, buoyed on by a large and noisy contingent of Stags fans behind the goal they were attacking.  Corden tested Turley as early as the 46th minute, but the keeper saved easily.  Stags were then penalised, not for the first time, when Darby threw himself to the floor under a challenge by Barrett.  The free kick was blocked by Disley and the ball broke to Corden who again ran the full length of the pitch but then shot wildly.  The Stags were awarded a rare free kick on 50 minutes, given by the Assistant not the referee, which Pemberton curled well over.  A minute later and Diamonds were awarded yet another dubious free kick, Hall's cross headed well over by Burgess.  On 55 minutes Turley, not for the first time, dropped a Corden cross, but again no Stags player was on hand to take advantage.  Referee Rejer then once more penalised Barrett and this time booked the Stags player, when it was so blatantly the opposition striker backing into the Stags defender - every time this happened and every time the referee gave the decision the home sides way.  A couple of minutes later Disley was found by a great Williamson through ball, however, as Turley came out neither player managed to make contact with the ball and it went out for a goal kick.  Hall broke free on the right and put in a great cross which Pilkington tipped over the bar.  Pilkington claimed the corner and his long kick went over the Diamonds defence to Bradley who jumped with Turley only to be adjudged to have fouled the Diamonds keeper - another disgraceful decision.  Undeterred by the appalling referee the Stags continued to press and Hassell tested Turley after a neat ball by Lawrence put the Stags defender through on goal.  On 71 minutes striker Bradley should have equalised when clean through, Turley though blocked the strikers shot.  The game was effectively over on 77 minutes and again there was more than a stroke of controversy about the decision, Partridges shot coming off the inside of the post and being gathered by Pilkington only for the Assistant to flag that the ball had crossed the line - the Stags defenders and keeper were clearly unhappy with the decision.  The Stags pressed for a goal to bring them back into the game, but decision after decision from the most one sided referee we've seen in years went against the Stags, most notably when Bradley was running through on goal and was almost decapitated by the right arm of Peters - incredibly nothing was given. 

Mistakes cost the Stags dear, though the scoreline does not reflect the fact that overall the Stags were the better side, as highlighted by match statistics which show the Stags with more goal attempts.  The reluctance of keeper Pilkington to come off his line is now causing Stags fans great concern and without Greenacre the strikeforce didn't look as threatening, though to be fair Bradley had a good game.  Nene Park has fantastic facilities but getting out of the car park at the end is a farce - 5.35pm most Stags fans eventually got out, you can have a great ground, nice facilities but if you can't get out at the end its no use to man nor beast!!  Whilst waiting to leave we spoke to some Diamonds fans who said that the 3rd goal shouldn't have been given as the ball didn't cross the line - it will be interesting to see the video footage.  At the end of the game Diamonds boss Brian Talbot said "Obviously we are very pleased that we have won but I think we were a little bit lucky at times."  Man of the match is tough, but Disley dominated midfield areas which allowed the Stags so much possession.

Man of the Match:  Craig Disley

Report by Rob Wheldon

Click here for Martin's report

Cautions:  Stags:  Barrett (56), Reddington

Referee:  Mr P Rejer - 3 - A disgrace