Friday 23rd November 2001 - Kick-off 7.45pm

Nationwide League Division 3

Attendance:  4, 877    

It took fully 15 minutes for the first real attack and it came from the visitors, Stamp seeing his fine cross well caught by Pilkington.  The Stags then mounted their own attack with Asher putting a decent ball in to Greenacre whose shot on the turn flew over.  Meaningful action was scarce, the Stags looking a shadow of the side that tore apart Luton just a few weeks ago and to be frank York were the better side.  Indeed the visitors were unlucky not to go a goal up when Cooper's shot from the right beat Pilkington but hit the keepers right hand post and flew away to safety.  Pilkington then had to be quick to neatly tip over a quick free kick, fired in from 25 yards.  The left wing corner flew dangerously across the Stags area but fortunately no York attacker was on hand to take advantage.  Piper, the liveliest of the Stags players, picked the ball up on the right, neatly played the ball to Greenacre who then laid the ball back to Williamson whose left foot shot flew just over, the best Stags move of a very poor half.

Half-time 0-0

An ankle injury meant that Adam Barrett was replaced at half time by Stuart Reddington.  The second half had to be better than the first and it certainly started brightly, first Tankard fired just over after Greenacre's cross was cleared and just a couple of minutes later came the Stags best passage of play of the entire match.  Breaking quickly on the right Lawrence neatly put Piper clear on the right, the striker then put in an inch perfect cross which Disley headed towards goal only to see Fettis pull off a terrific point blank save and tip the ball over the bar.  Sadly this was almost as good as it got for the Stags, a weak headed effort wide from Reddington all the Stags could muster for the next 15 minutes or so.  Whilst York had held their own, they had rarely threatened.  However, a blunder by skipper Les Robinson gifted York the lead.  Under a high ball Robinson's back header was weak and fell to Nogan, though Pilkington blocked the strikers first effort the ball rolled back to him and he slotted the ball into an open net.  The Stags were well and truly rocked, Bradley replaced Corden as the Stags switched to three in attack in a desperate attempt to get something from the game.  It all looked to be in vain but in the 2nd minute of injury time Craig Disley smashed home after Tankards cross had caused havoc in the City area, Lawrence had pulled the ball back across goal and Disley was on hand to fire the ball into the roof of the net to send the home fans wild.

On balance the Stags probably deserved a point, but certainly no more.  York defended well and always looked dangerous on the counter.  The Stags looked tired and several players looked less than 100% fit, the 8 day break before the next game couldn't have come at a better time.  Hard really to take too many positives from the game, however, Pilkington continued his good form in goal, Stuart Reddington put in an excellent 2nd half performance and Allen Tankard was solid throughout.  However, man of the match was just about Matt Piper whose pace and good touch wasn't used as much as it should have been.  After the game Assistant Boss Stuart Watkiss revealed that several players were nursing injuries but with such a small squad they were forced to play.  He praised York for the job they did on the Stags but also said the youngsters in the side needed a break to allow injuries to heal.

Man of the Match:  Matthew Piper

Report by Rob Wheldon

Click here for Martin's report