Another good run out for the Stags saw them fall to a narrow defeat at the RH Academy

The amber and blues had numerous players return after self-isolation with them getting valuable minutes under their belts with Mansfield Town falling to a slim 1-0 defeat against Grimsby Town at the RH Academy.

Nigel Clough welcomed back several first-team players as they returned after self-isolating. George Shelvey, James Perch and George Maris were all in the starting 11 as the trio got their first run out in pre-season.

Mansfield Town’s first chance of the game to Oli Hawkins as he was able to connect with a Kellan Gordon delivery but his effort was narrowly wide of the goal.

Rhys Oates made his second successive pre-season start with the forward looking to score his first goal for the Stags. He made a surging run into the box but failed to hit the target.

The Mariners had a few chances of their own through Joel Grant. The former Swindon Town winger showed some neat footwork to fire a shot narrowly wide of Shelvey’s goal.

Before the first-half ended, George Lapslie, Danny Johnson and Oates had chances to open the scoring but failed to do so as the sides went into the break level pegging.

With the second-half lacking in real chances, it definitely gained a lot of competitiveness with the two sides going toe-to-toe. Ollie Clarke and Luke Waterfall clashed together which saw the two players both booked.

Oates continued to find chances for himself but was unable to find his way past substitute James McKeown and fired a header off target.

Marek Stech, who came on for the second-half, was tested by Max Wright with the experienced goalkeeper getting down low to deny the midfielder.

Both sides made a whole host of changes as Clough sent on Jordan Bowery and Ferrand Rawson for their first minutes of pre-season.

In the 66th minute, the Mariners took the lead through Erico Sousa as his low shot from inside the area found the back of the net to open the scoring.

A few chances were created between the two sides after the goal but they didn’t really trouble each goalkeeper as Grimsby ran out 1-0 winners.

Mansfield Town now travel to Alfreton Town and Hull City in the space of 24 hours as two separate squads will be selected for the two fixtures.

Whereas for Grimsby, they host Rotherham United at Blundell Park on Saturday for James McKeown’s testimonial and their second pre-season fixture.

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