Stags Hold Dons To Draw

Substitute Nathan Arnold struck for Mansfield in extra time to give the Stags a point in their game against flu-ridden MK Dons at the NHS.

The Dons went ahead in the 50th minute when Scott Taylor scored from close range to end a goal drought that has lasted for six months.

The first half was largely incident free with neither side dominating a game played mostly in midfield. Mansfield had a chance early on when Martin Gritton picked up a cross from Michael Boulding only to head it straight to Dons keeper Adolpho Baines.

Gary Smith had the Dons faithful off their seats in the 24th minute with a blinding run through the centre towards the Mansfield goal area only to be bought down by a ‘professional’ foul by Gareth Jellyman who saw yellow. Jon-Paul McGovern came close for the Dons with the resulting free kick when a 30 yard blaster was saved by a fully stretched Jason White keeping goal for the Stags.

Although the Dons dominated possession for the rest of the half they failed to breach the well organised Mansfield defence apart from a 12 yard header over the bar from home debutee Leon Knight.

Martin Allens half-time team talk must have been hit the spot as the Dons started the second half looking more like promotion contenders. Within 5 minutes Scott Taylor gave them the lead after a picking up the ball during a goalmouth scramble which he hit to beat the keeper and give him his second goal of the season.

To their credit, the Stags never gave up and tested an on form Baines with shots from Martin Gritton and Jonathan D’Laryea. Following a double substitution in the 83rd minute Mansfield went on all out attack as the Dons dug in to keep the three points.

In the 88th minute substitute Nathan Arnold went close with a long range shot that went wide, three minutes later he blasted home the equaliser with an unstoppable shot from 30 yards which landed perfectly into the bottom corner of the net.

Commenting after the game, Dons Manager Martin Allen said that although he was disappointed to miss out on three goals he was pleased with the way the team had played given the absence of some of the teams key players kept out by a flu virus.

Saturday’s game against Notts County will see the return of the Dons leading striker Izale McLeod and flu permitting some of the first team regulars who were missing for this game. Three points would be a much needed boost and will keep them in contention for a coveted automatic promotion place.

MK Dons
Adolpho Baines
Drissa Diallo
Paul Butler
Sean O’Hanlon
Dean Lewington
Jon-Paul McGovern
Paul Mitchell
Keith Andrews (89)
Gary Smith (71)
Scott Taylor
Leon Knight (81)

SUBSTITUTES:
Gareth Edds (89)
Jude Stirling (71)
Jonathan Hayes
Sam Baldock (81)
Lee Harper

Mansfield
Jason White
Johnny Mullins
Jonathan D’Laryea
Alex Baptiste
Gareth Jellyman
Matin Gritton (63)
Stephen Dawson
Jake Buxton
Simon Brown
Barry Conlon
Michael Boulding (64)

SUBSTITUTES:
Carl Muggleton
Jon Olav Hjelde
Nathan Arnold (64)
Rory Boulding (63)
Danny Reet



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