Mansfield Town reach FA Cup second round after overcoming Chorley

Mansfield Town progressed past Chorley and into the second round of the FA Cup thanks to a Nicky Maynard goal.

Mansfield Town kicked off the first-half hoping to avoid a shock upset so synonymous with this competition.

And indeed it was Chorley who had a great chance to open the scoring early on. A poor clearance from Neal Bishop gave Matt Challoner the chance to shoot but his striker flew well over the bar.

The visitors Chorley had strung out of the traps quickly and continued to have the better of the opening exchanges.

The League Two side then almost created the first meaningful opening of the game. Conrad Logan’s long clearance combined with Otis Khan’s touch to allow him to pass it off to wide to Kellan Gordon, but his cross was met by no one inside the penalty area.

Mansfield won a free-kick on the edge of the area in the 11th minute with great build-up play making Chorley’s defence foul Maynard. The Stags failed to take this opportunity however, Khan’s free-kick hitting the wall and coming to nothing.

Adam Blakemen had a similar chance for Chorley but was wasteful before Alex MacDonald’s long-range effort failed to test the Chorley ‘keeper.

National League Chorley almost took the lead towards the end of the first half. A fantastic cross from Ntumba Massanka nearly found Charles Vernam’s foot but the striker was unable to convert.

The chance woke the home side up as first Gordon’s shot went just wide before MacDonald’s effort threatened to break the deadlock before culminating in same result as Gordon’s previous effort.

The referee blew his whistle for half-time with Mansfield being the more dominant team, but with the half ending level at 0-0.

Chorley kicked off the second-half with both sides not making any changes.

Early second pressure was created from Chorley, Smith’s latest free-kick just over the bar.

Andy Cook had an amazing chance to score for the home side with the striker twisting and turning but unable to finish past Matt Urwin in the Chorley goal.

The first save of the afternoon arrived around the hour mark as Bishop’s shot was cleared from danger by Matt Urwin.

Danny Rose was introduced after a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury and was presented almost immediately with a chance after a great pass from Khan allowed the striker to shoot but his effort was miscued.

Conrad Logan then pulled off a magnificent save at full stretch to tip an effort over the bar and prevent the Magpies from opening the scoring.

In the 81st minute, substitute Jacob Mellis made a instant impact.

Combination play between CJ Hamilton and Mellis saw the later shoot at goal, Urwin parrying out only as far as Maynard who had a simple finish to put the home side ahead.

Chorley had a succession of corners to try and force a replay but their endeavours were ultimately unsuccessful as the Stags ran out 1-0 winners and progress to the second round of the FA Cup.