Mansfield Town comeback to draw 2-2 against Port Vale

A fantastic display of character earned Mansfield a valuable point at the One Call Stadium.

Port Vale went 2-0 up through David Amoo and Leon Legge but a comeback from the Stags saw Nicky Maynard and CJ Hamilton score to level at 2-2.

Mansfield Town kicked off first-half proceedings and almost scored soon after.

In the first minute, a great ball from Mal Benning found Andy Cook, who chested the ball down into the path of Danny Rose , but the striker sent his shot over.

Soon after, Ryan Sweeney should have opened the scoring. A floated ball from Willem Tomlinson was met by Ryan Sweeney’s head, but sent his header over.

The amber and blues continued to probe as they had another chance. CJ Hamilton this time smashed his shot over the bar.

Port Vale had their first chance of any note a fantastic cross from David Worrall was headed wide from David Amoo.

The visitors began to find their rhythm soon after when Luke Joyce tried his luck, causing Bobby Olejnik into action to clear the ball away.

The referee blew his whistle for half-time and after a turbulent season, Mansfield would have been pleased with their first 45 performance. They dictated terms and were the better side, despite Vale being the team closer to scoring when Amoo’s header went wide.

After the break the Stags went close. A throw-in from MacDonald was cleared but put back into the area with Neal Bishop’s volley going wide.

But for all Mansfield’s good play, Vale opened the scoring in the 53rd minute. Nathan Smith knocked in and to compound the hosts miseries.

But forward Andy Cook almost levelled. The striker chested the ball down, turned and volleyed at goal with Scott Brown only just able to keep it out.

10 minutes later, Stags found themselves 2-0 down after a scrabble in the box. Leon Legge scored the goal to double the visiting side’s lead.

But when all looked to be lost, Mansfield were given hope in the 81st minute. Veteran forward Nicky Maynard finished well into the bottom corner to reduce the deficit.

With Vale absorbing pressure in the closing stages, Mansfield continued to hunt for the leveller. And in the 93rd minute they got it. CJ Hamilton scored for the Stags at the death to make it 2-2 and snatch an unlikely point.

Team Line-ups

Mansfield Town: Olejnik; Clarke, Preston, Sweeney, Benning, MacDonald (Khan); Tomlinson, Bishop (Bishop), Hamilton; Cook, Rose (Maynard)

Port Vale: Brown; Gibbons, Joyce, Legge, Worrall; Pope, Montano, Atkinson, Smith; Amoo, Burgess