Mansfield Town 1-1 Colchester United (EFL League Two) 20.11.20

Mansfield Town were denied victory against a resilient Colchester United side at the One Call Stadium tonight in a game that ebbed and flowed with a share of the spoils that takes the Stags to eleven points from thirteen games played.

Nigel Clough’s side were boosted by the return of Ollie Clarke and it was his shot blocked on nine minutes the first show of intent from the home side.

On sixteen minutes Mal Benning struck right footed wide before Bowery sent in a tantalising cross which was collected by U’s keeper Gerkin ahead of the pouncing Maynard.

The Stags started strong, but the visitors came back into the game and had a spell themselves with Chilvers beating the offside trap to head straight at Stech.

As Mansfield looked to impose themselves again Clarke hit a left footed strike well saved by Gerkin who ensured the scores would be level at half time.

Three minutes into the second half and Gerkin was again called into action as he got down low to hold Benning’s strike before Charsley went inches wide as he fired in from the edge of the box.

Stephen McLaughlin was next to test Gerkin before on 67 minutes Mansfield’s persistence was rewarded as Nicky Maynard struck a thunderbolt which crashed in off the underside of the bar.

Maynard even aimed to replicate his goalscoring effort but fired over a similar opportunity seven minutes later and as the clock ran down and the Stags dared dream of a second successive win it was Luke Norris, on the pitch for just five minutes who netted a leveller to ensure a point would also head back to Essex.

Bowery had one last attempt, shot low and held by Gerkin who on the day was solid and reliable and very tough to beat. The Stags rue not seeing out the game from a winning position but another solid performance suggests the team is heading in the right direction.

Six unbeaten now for Mansfield with one defeat in nine but turning draws into wins is next on the cards with Nigel Clough’s side next at home to newly promoted Harrogate on Tuesday.

Mansfield Town: Stech, Gordon, Rawson, Perch, Benning, Charsley, Clarke (O’Keefe 85), Lapslie, McLaughlin, Maynard, Bowery.

Colchester United: Gerken, Welch-Hayes, Eastman, Smith, Bramall, Pell, Poku (Harriott 61 (Norris 80)), Senior (Bohui 70), Stevenson (Folivi 70), Chilvers, Brown.

Venue: Field Mill

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc action at the One Call Stadium as the points were shared.