Mansfield Town 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge (FA Cup Round Two) 29.11.20

Nicky Maynard bundled home a 120^th minute winner to snatch victory deep into extra time of a tense nail biting FA Cup second round game against National League opposition to ensure Nigel Clough’s men go into the hat for the round three draw on Monday.

The Stags went behind early-doors when McCallum scored from a tight angle on 19 minutes but Harry Charsley tucked home low after good work from Bowery to level things up six minutes later.

Dagenham might have retaken the lead when Deering’s deflected shot was well held by Stech before Clarke fired over at the other end as the Stags looked to go in front before the break.

A tight second half saw Andy Cook go close with a header for Mansfield after an hour before Clarke’s shot was deflected onto a post minutes later, as the same man dragged a shot wide left-footed shortly after.

Nine minutes from time Justham saved well from Reid whilst Deering fired wide at the other end and the match ended all square going into thirty minutes more of football to decide a winner.

Mansfield had a goal ruled out for offside in extra time before Reid tried an ambitious overhead which was brilliantly saved, as the game looked to be heading towards penalties, Bowery went through on goal but his attempt was saved by Justham, as the ball bounced around the box it fell to Maynard who stuck out a boot and sent Mansfield into the hat with the big boys.

A fantastic win, hard work paying off as Clough’s Stags bounce back from a couple of tough results to make not just an exciting stage of the competition but to pocket a healthy pay package too which will significantly help towards the clubs losses this year due to covid.

Mansfield Town: Stech (Stone 120), Gordon, Rawson, Sweeney, Benning, Charsley (Maynard 115), Lapslie, Clarke, McLaughlin (Maris 57), Bowery, Cook (Reid 76).

Dagenham & Redbridge: Justham, Ogogo, Wright, Croll, Johnson, Johnson, Weston (Balanta 75), Rance (Adams 110), Brundie, Deering, McCallum, Wilson (Saunders 87).

Venue: Field Mill

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Nicky Maynard with the winning goal in extra-time.