Mansfield Town 0 Plymouth Argyle 0

Att. 2,321

Martin Shaw at Field Mill

This was another disappointing result for Mansfield Town. Visitors Plymouth had won away just once all season (like Stags themselves) and this seemed like the ideal opportunity For Stags to put a disappointing run of results behind them. But in truth in a very poor game, neither side could claim to have deserved the points.

Wayne Corden came in for the suspended Darrell Clarke in the only change to the Stags side that had lost at Kidderminster on Boxing Day. Adam Barrett was playing against the club he had left just a month ago. Plymouth included long-haired pop musician and former Nottingam Forest striker Paul McGregor in their side, along with former Lincoln City player Terry Fleming.

The first half was very poor from the Stags - perhaps the worst half of the season at home. There was really nothing created at all, and the ball just tended to be hoofed forward from the back. Indeed Stags were lucky to escape on 11 minutes as a Plymouth free-kick from Craig Taylor scraped the foot of the post with Mimms beaten. On 38 minutes, Mimms made a terrific save from a brilliant shot from the edge of the box by former Lincoln player Terry Fleming, which seemed destined for the top corner of the net. There were one or two other half chances for Plymouth as well. However generally the defending from Barrett and Hicks was good. Hicks however did give away one free-kick with a stupid challenge on the edge of the box, but the fortunately the free-kick came to nothing as Wootton’s shot was blocked by the wall. At the other end, Barrett had a chance with a header from a corner, but his effort was straight at the keeper and lacked power.

Half time 0-0

Mansfield were much more positive in the second half and were the more likely side to score that decisive goal. The best chance fell to Mark Blake on 49 minutes, but unmarked on the penalty spot, he headed wide from Pemberton’s inch-perfect cross. However the closest to a Stags goal came when Plymouth’s impressive left back Beswetherick sliced a clearance no more than an inch wide of his own post, with Boulding waiting to pounce on the loose ball behind him. Late on, Adam Barrett found himself unmarked with his back to goal in the six-yard box, but with Boulding unmarked and facing the goal just a yard from him, Barrett chose an overhead kick, which flew well wide. Time and again Stags won flick-on headers near the box, but frustratingly, the ball kept ending up with the Argyle keeper.

Terry Fleming was sent off for two bookable offences in the closing minutes, but it was too late to have any effect on the game.

Overall a poor performance from Stags midfield and forward line. Hassell and Blake were both poor, while Corden again failed to produce the promising performances from early-season. Greenacre and Boulding were given precious few opportunities up-front. Disley added a little spark to the midfield when he came on after an hour, but it wasn’t enough to make a difference. The one encouraging aspect was a good defensive performance, with Barrett performing really well against his former club, and Hicks and Robinson also in good form. Once again, the dependable Mimms dealt with the few shots that came his way.

Man of the Match - Adam Barrett

Mimms 7 One great save, and generally competent

Robinson 6 Competent at the back

Hicks 7 Rock solid alongside Barrett

Barrett 8 Commanding against his former club, terrific in defence and got into the right positions in attacking areas as well

Pemberton 5 Again gave the ball away too often, though one great cross nearly led to a goal

Williams 6 Some good trickery on the wing, but still did not produce enough

Hassell 5 Passing not up to his usual standard

Blake 5 Lack-lustre performance typified by dreadful header from 6 yards when unmarked

Corden 5 A couple of long range efforts, but lacked inspiration generally

Greenacre 6 Little opportunity

Boulding 6 One or two good runs in the second half, but not given enough service

Subs:

Disley (for Pemberton, 64 minutes) 7 Livened the midfield up a little

Bacon (for Corden, 89 minutes)

Subs not used: Lindley, Asher, Lawrence.