Stags return to home comforts searching for a third successive home league victory

Mansfield Town were ultimately left disappointed in their previous encounter as they drew 1-1 with Colchester United. The amber and blues take on Bradford City this weekend at the One Call Stadium with the Nottinghamshire club’s flawless home league record at stake.

The Stags left Essex with one point but it should have been three after a dominant display against the U’s at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Mansfield launched attack after attack to no avail until they found their breakthrough in the 73rd minute. Stephen Quinn was able to cut inside onto his weaker right foot and swung a delivery into the box that found the head of Elliott Hewitt. The defender reached the ball and headed the ball past the stranded Shamal George to give the amber and blues the lead.

However, disaster struck in added time as referee Sam Allison pointed to the spot after Stephen McLaughlin was adjudged to have fouled Frank Nouble inside the penalty area. Up stepped Freddie Sears to take the penalty, and even though Nathan Bishop got a hand to the ball, it went into the back of the net to earn Colchester a draw at the death.

Stags boss Nigel Clough spoke about the performance that his side put on and said ‘seven points from nine’ is a positive start to the season.

“I thought we were very good at times tonight and controlled the games for long periods. We created numerous opportunities and Nathan Bishop has had very little to do.

“We had several chances to get ahead. That’s the frustrating part, then the penalty tops it off.

“There was some decision-making that was poor in the first-half, but we played some very good stuff.

“I thought we had nine or ten moves tonight which were very good indeed, but didn’t quite finish them off.

“It’s still a point, but it’s in the last minute and everyone’s a little bit down. We were on top and should’ve won, but seven points from nine with an away point is never bad.

“Ultimately it is two [points]dropped because of the manner in which we played, the chances we created and conceding with seconds to go.

“I hope they [travelling fans]enjoyed the way we played, because we said we’re trying to play the same away as we do at home. We probably created more tonight than we have done in the two home games.

“There was some lovely football at times, but we have to get better at certain things. [But] for the third game in, it’s very encouraging.”

Mansfield now face Bradford City at the One Call Stadium this weekend. The Bantams are another side that are yet to lose in League Two and are a massive favourite for promotion this season and moving up into League One for the 2022/23 season.

New manager Derek Adams has the Yorkshire club flying as they sit in second place after three games, one place above the Stags who sit third with both sides on seven points.

During midweek, the Bantams faced Stevenage at Valley Parade with Bradford producing a scintillating performance to win 4-1.

Ex-Stags forward Andy Cook scored the opener within 60 seconds as the Bantams looked to dispatch the Boro early on. Elliott List equalised in the 17th minute to level the game at 1-1, but at the half-time interval, Bradford lead 3-1 after Cook added two more goals to complete a first-half hat-trick.

Niall Canavan added a goal in the dying embers of the game to set the score at 4-1 in the hosts’ favour and move them above the Stags in the League Two table.

In League Two action, Mansfield have won twice with Bradford winning three matches and one encounter ending in a 0-0 draw, incidentally, that game was the first time the two met in the new formed fourth division.

The Bantams have won the last two encounters and they’ll look to make it three in a row against the Stags, but Clough’s side will certainly not surrender as they chase their third successive league victory at the One Call Stadium.

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