Stags 1 Scunthorpe 0

Boulding 87

5 May 2001

Martin Shaw at Field Mill

Before the game skipper Les Robinson picked up all four player of the season

awards (SSC, SOS, CHAD, Mansfield 103.2). I felt sorry for Chris Greenacre,

whose form over the first two-thirds of the season deserved some reward.

Make Blake came into defence in place of the injured Robinson, who was

missing his first game of the season. Kevin Pilkington kept his place in

goal as Mimms was again rested.

Stags were generally on top in the first half and created almost all of the

goalscoring chances as Blake (twice), Bradley (twice) and Disley nearly

scored. Lawrence was superb, as was Disley, in creating most of the neat

approach play.

The second half never really got going and chances were few and far between.

Williamson had Stags best chance but his 8 yard shot was blocked on the

line. Meanwhile Pilkington had to be alert to save well from the dangerous

Martin Carruthers. Stags defence rarely looked in danger despite the

presence of the imposing Torpey.

Then on 86 minutes, Greenacre was brought off, allowing the crowd to give

him a standing ovation. On came Michael Boulding, and within a minute, he

latched onto a bad back-pass from Torpey, to outpace the defence and

side-foot a powerful right-footed shot underneath Scunthorpe keeper Evans,

from a tight angle and into the net. It was another great moment for Micky

and a great way to end the season at Field Mill, as Stags chalked up a

fourth successive victory.

Surely Boulding's late winner is enough to earn him a new contract next

season - he has such a flair for turning games from the substitutes bench.

Stags will now finish in the top half of the table providing they do not

lose by 2 goals or more at Southend on Tuesday.

Former Stags centre-half Craig Allardyce was spotted in the West Stand

meeting up with his former team mates Darrell Clarke and Michael Sisson.

Man of the match: Craig Disley

Pilkington 7 Little to do, but looked confident, and made one good save from

the dangerous Carruthers.

Asher 6 Reasonable at right back.

Jervis 7 Another promising performance in defence.

Blake 8 Excellent game filling in for Robinson in central defence.

Reddington 7 Good game, rarely troubled by the dangerous Torpey and

Carruthers.

Lawrence 8 Great first half going forward, and dug in well in the second

half to keep a grip of midfield.

Hassell 8 Terrific game in midfield, really back to his best form; then

moved to right back and still looked in good form.

Williamson 7 Lively down the left side of midfield.

Disley 8 Another all-action display from the young midfielder; a real

terrier who won so many 50/50 balls and created a lot going forward.

Greenacre 6 Didn't look like getting a goal, but held the ball up well.

Bradley 7 Powerful up front and unlucky a couple of times not to score.

Subs:

White (for Bradley, 65 mins) 6 Looked nervous to start as he fluffed from a

good position but gradually got into the game.

Williams (for Asher, 67 mins) 6 Slotted in well onto the left side of

midfield, as Williamson moved to the right, and Hassell to right back.

Boulding (for Greenacre, 85 mins) 7 Only on for 3 minutes but super-sub did

it again with a great finish, latching onto a bad back-pass.

Subs Not Used: Mimms, Andrews.