Mansfield Town 0-0 Carlisle United (EFL League Two) 13.19.22

Mansfield were held at home by Carlisle United on a night to forget for the 5,241 in attendance at Field Mill, a pleasing point for the 155 Carlisle fans who’ll travel back to the North-West knowing their side had the better chances, for Mansfield and Nigel Clough, it was an evening where his team never really got going.

The highlight was no question the pre-match tribute to the passing of the late Queen which was impeccably observed before a rendition of God Save the King, before action got under way.

A couple of early sniffs for the home side were countered on ten minutes by a good chance for the visitors to take the lead as former Notts County striker Kristian Dennis dragged wide from inside the Stags area.

Carlisle had another great opportunity on fifteen when Feeney’s effort deflected off a defender and into the grateful hands of Christy Pym. Two minutes later, George Lapslie had the ball in the net for the hosts but the linesman ruled his poachers effort out for offside, the former Charlton midfielder moving too soon to follow up a George Maris effort which was saved falling kindly on the rebound.

Stephen McLaughlin was next to go close, hitting instead, the side netting on 24 after cutting inside onto his right foot, Pym was then forced into action at the other end on 32, saving from Gibson who shot powerfully.

A minute into the second half Kristian Dennis again missed a guilt edged chance to give the away side the lead, he blasted over from close range after good work down the right by Gibson.

That however was the best chance of a poor second half, Maris trying his luck on 73 from outside the area to no avail, before poking wide a decent low delivery by Stephen Quinn with seven minutes remaining.

The draw leaves Mansfield in eighth after eight games played, next up for the Stags is a trip to Gillingham on Saturday.

Mansfield Town: Pym, Bowery, Hewitt, Hawkins, Harbottle, McLaughlin, Clarke (Quinn 71), Hartigan, Maris, Lapslie, Akins.

Carlisle United: Holy, Armer, Moxon, Feeney, Huntington, Gibson (Hilton 83), Guy, Patrick, Dennis (Stretton 89), Mellish, Back.

Venue: Field Mill (5,421)

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Jordan Bowery couldn’t knock down the Carlisle door.