Mansfield Town

0-1 

Chesterfield

Martin Shaw at Field Mill

Chesterfield completed the double over Mansfield to extend their huge lead at the top of Division 3 thanks to a freak early goal. It was a terrible error by Bobby Mimms that gifted the Spireites their goal after just 6 minutes as he let a simple cross drift into the net under no pressure. Overall Stags spirited first-half fight-back deserved a point but they ran out of ideas in the second half and Chesterfield held on for the three points.

This was Field Mill’s biggest crowd for 9 years, since Stags lost 1-0 to Burnley in front of  8,333 on 21 March 1992. There were approximately 3,400 travelling Chesterfield fans in the Quarry Lane End, Bishop Street stand and North Stand, while 4,500 Stags fans packed into the magnificent new West Stand. The kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes to allow the inevitable latecomers into the ground.

It was a soft goal that soon stunned the home fans. A routine cross from the right-hand side by Dudfield seemed to be drifting over the bar, but Bobby Mimms completely misjudged it in trying to pat it over the bar. The ball sailed over his head, hit the underside of the bar and then the far post, before being hacked away by Bobby Hassell, but the assistant referee was quick to signal that the ball had crossed the line.

It was a terrible shock for the home side and for a while Stags could not get themselves together. But gradually, with Mark Blake a tower of strength in midfield, Mansfield started to take control and create some good chances. The first chance fell to Williams who make a great connection with a cross on the half-volley, but his powerful strike was straight at keeper Pollitt. Then a fine pass from Williams picked out Wayne Corden just outside the box. Corden controlled the ball beautifully but then scuffed his shot horribly wide when it needed to be on target. Shortly afterwards, and a fine throughball from Blake found Chris Greenacre in the box. His first touch to the control the ball was good and his instant shot left-footed was heading for the corner of the net. But somehow Chesterfield keeper Pollitt made a great save to push the ball just wide of the post. Stags continued to dominate but failed to create other clearcut chances. Williams put in some other good crosses and Hassell wasted a free-kick putting it over the bar from 20 yards. At the other end Chesterfield also had a couple of free-kicks, one which sailed inches past the post and one which was saved by Mimms low to his right.

It was a decent first half display and Mansfield were very unlucky to be trailing at the break.

Half time 0-1

Stags couldn’t get going in the second half despite having slightly more of the possession than the Spireites. Time and again long balls were played down the middle which were easily dealt with by the dominant Blatherwick and Breckin. Crucially Mark Blake didn’t continue his fine first-half showing and young Craig Disley started to give the ball away on a few occasions, as Chesterfield wrestled control of the midfield. As the half drifted on, Stags boss Bill Dearden brought on Bacon and Clarke, but this had little effect though the appearance of Liam Lawrence livened things up a bit as he tried to run at the defence rather than play long balls into the middle. As the game came to its conclusion it seemed Stags had run out of ideas and it was the Spireites who came closer to scoring in the final 10 minutes.

So the game ended in bitter disappointment for the Stags losing to their closest rivals from over the county border in only their second home defeat of the season. With 15 games left, Stags must now put together a fine run starting at rejuvenated Hull on Tuesday night, if they are to mount a serious challenge to get into the play-offs.

Man of the Match - Les Robinson  

Subs:

Subs not used: Pilkington, Jervis.