Another important 3 pts for Town with Barnett getting the all important goal that takes Town top of the table
Full-time: 1-0The home side were throwing all the had at Town with high balls into the five who had stayed up front for the Stags, but Town were doing all they could to keep them at bay and do the work to keep them out. With 8 minutes of the added time if seemed an eternity for Town to keep going and earn another important 3 points that took them top of the table for now.
Mansfield has thrown everyone up front and were playing with four in their forward line and were looking to get the ball into them early. Town were doing well though to deal with this and with a lot of space in the Mansfield midfield there was the chance for the quick counter attack.
The game had once again got scrappy with both sides making mistakes and neither were keeping the ball for any length of time.
There was a big shout from the home crowd for a penalty when Grandison mistimed a header and it dropped in behind, he went for it shoulder to shoulder with Oliver and the Stags player went to ground, but ref Wade who had a good view of it saw nothing wrong and waved play on.
There was a break in play when ref Robinson went across to the fourth official indicating that he wasn't able to carry on, after a little while Stephen Wade took over the whistle and took charge of the game.
Town edged it with two minutes of the half gone, the defence combined well with Demetriou to Grandison, he switched it to Ellis who remained patient looking for the opening, he then looped a cross to the back post and Barnett got up well to attack it and turned it home to give Town the lead 1-0.
There was a hearts in mouth moment for Town after the restart when Goldson loops a header up and Oliver breaks in to the Town box but Ellis there with well timed challenge to concede the corner.
Half-time: 0-0
All in all a 45 minutes of football that Town will forget about quick quickly and the focus moves onto the next 45 minutes. Not much in the way of shots on target at each end or saves from either keeper.
Town were a little below par in the first half and their performance seemed to lack the tempo of recent games. It was a case of the ball going into the forwards but it wasn't sticking, and if it was then there was little in the way of support to build an attack.
There was little to talk about in the game with not much excitement around either penalty area. Town were making a number of simple mistakes which was giving possession back to the home side and was giving the Stags fans something to shout about.
The opening exchanges had little in the way of excitement with both sides looking to get to grips with each. There were different styles from both with Mansfield going a little more direct while Town tried to stick to their passing game.
Micky Mellon sticks with the same side that beat Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 on Friday, the only change is on the bench with Rhys Sharpe recovering from the should injury that kept him out of the game.
: 3108 (with 765 from Town) Attendance
Fourth Official: Stephen Wade
Assistants: Nicholas Gibbons and Paul Marsden
: Tim Robinson Ref
: Sascha Studer, Ryan Tafazolli, Alex Fisher, Rakish Bingham, Simon Heslop, Joe Fitzpatrick Subs
: Lenny Pidgley, Richie Sutton, Martin Riley, Jamie McGuire, Reggie Lambe, Lee Beavers, Jack Thomas, Vadaine Oliver, Callum Elder, Chris Clements, Terry Hawkridge ( Matt Rhead 61) Mansfield Town
: 21 Mark Halstead, 10 Scott Vernon, 16 Keith Southern, 22 Jordan Clark, 28 Mikael Mandron Subs
: 1 Jayson Leutwiler, 2 Jermaine Grandison, 3 Mickey Demetriou, 4 Ryan Woods, 5 Mark Ellis, 6 Connor Goldson, 9 James Collins (19 Andy Mangan 75), 11 Liam Lawrence, 12 Cameron Gayle, 24 Bobby Grant (Rhys Shapre 90), 26 Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro (23 Tyrone Barnett 46) Town