The Stags and Oldham Athletic play out goalless draw as both sides earn valuable point and clean sheet

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George Maris’ injury in the first half was the biggest talking point as the midfielder was stretchered off midway through the half with Mansfield Town’s injury crisis getting worse.

The two teams were evenly matched throughout the encounter but they failed to score an elusive goal which would have most definitely won either side the match.

Stags manager Nigel Clough made two changes from the defeat against Barrow last weekend as James Clarke and Danny Johnson replaced the suspended Ferrend Rawson and Rhys Oates who dropped to the bench.

On-loan defender Will Forrester finally returned from injury as he was named in Mansfield’s matchday squad for the first time.

The Stags had the first chance of the first half as Danny Johnson won a foul just outside the box. Stephen McLaughlin’s teasing delivery went through the crowd of players inside the area, but none of his teammates in amber and blue were able to connect with it.

Minutes later, Harry Charsley’s cross found George Lapslie at the back post with the midfielder skewing his effort and failing to hit the target.

Maris’ pass into McLaughlin opened up the visitors once more as the full-back’s first time effort hit Johnson who fired a volley into the side netting.

A heavy collision involving Maris saw the midfielder need urgent medical attention as he looked in a lot of discomfort. After 15 minutes, he was finally placed on a stretcher and was taken off the pitch with Oates coming on in his place.

Before the break, both sides had great chances of going in front. Firstly, a corner found Oldham Athletic’s captain Carl Piergianni who nodded the ball down into Harrison McGahey’s path. The defender smashed the crossbar from close range and should have given his side the lead.

Moments later, the Stags had an attack of their own as Oates made his way into the area. He found space to shoot but fired his effort wide of the target.

The fourth official signalled 14 minutes of added time as Piergianni caused trouble once more. The defender’s half volley was palmed away by the diving Nathan Bishop to keep the score at 0-0.

Oldham were able to carve another chance as Zak Dearnley cut onto his right foot to curl a shot into the body of Bishop before Davis Keillor-Dunn’s rebound went wide of the goal.

Both side continued their search for a goal as they played some good passing plays, but when it got to the final third, they failed to create any clear-cut chances.

With 20 minutes to go, Lapslie made an interception and found Charsley. The midfielder advanced into the box and saw his low shot parried to safety by Jayson Leutwiler.

Mansfield continued to search for an opener as Oates found Charsley in the box who saw his close-range shot saved.

The game ended in a goalless draw and both sides will be able to take positives from the encounter with another point on the board as they aim to avoid relegation down to the National League.

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