Tranmere Rovers 3-2 Mansfield Town (EFL League Two) 11.03.22

Friday night football returned to Prenton Park and with it late defeat for Mansfield Town who suffer a first defeat in fourteen at their promotion chasing rivals from the Wirral.

The hosts took an early lead through 40-year-old Peter Clarke who headed from close range following a deep corner nodded into his path by MacDonald on five but the Stags were level on the stroke of half time after a slick passing move resulted in McLaughlin chipping a ball to the back post where Longstaff was waiting to make it three goals in three games.

Tranmere came out strong in the early stages of the second half and had a shot blocked over and an effort crashing against the post before Elliott Nevitt gave them the lead on 76, the youngster coming on as a second half substitute to have a huge impact on the match.

Nevitt beating the offside trap to race through and calmly finish past Bishop what looked like a late winner.

Mansfield however had other ideas, a stoppage time corner whipped in right footed by Murphy found Ollie Hawkins at the back post who nodded home for a late leveller. However, in the fifth minute of injury time Nevitt broke free again and cut inside to shoot powerfully home a huge winner for the hosts who moved above the Stags in the table into the third automatic spot.

Stags Manager Nigel Clough saying after “To lose in the 95th minute is very disappointing. We’re looking back, and I know the game is tight but, the two goals are offside.”

Mansfield must now pick themselves up again on the road this Tuesday night against Port Vale.

Tranmere Rovers: Murphy, Dacres-Cogley, MacDonald, Davies, Morris (Hawkes 29), Hemmings, Glatzel (Nevitt 55), Warrington, McPake (Foley 89), O’Connor, Clarke.

Mansfield Town: Bishop, Hewitt, Rawson (Lapslie 85), Hawkins, McLaughlin, Stirk, Longstaff, Quinn (Perch 64), Murphy, Akins (Maris 19), Oates.

Venue: Prenton Park (7,857)

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc it wasn’t to be as the Stags run of fourteen unbeaten ended at Tranmere.