Town Draw With Stags

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 26/12/2017

GRIMSBY had to settle for a point against Mansfield after an entertaining game at Blundell Park. The Mariners took an early lead through Mitch Rose who scored with 10 minutes gone. The Stags fought back and secured a point with a goal 10 minutes from time through sub Lee Angol.

Grimsby were hampered by an injury to 'keeper James McKeown who was forced off after half an hour, which meant an hour between the sticks for rookie 'keeper Ben Killip, and also limited Russell Slade's substitutions in the second half.

Russell Slade made one change dropping winger Diallang Jaiyesimi in favour of Martyn Woolford.

Town capitalised on a good start when Rose was presented with a chance by the opposition. He failed to make the most of it at first but got a lucky deflection which allowed the midfielder a shot at goal which he made no mistake from. Pearce should have done better for Mansfield when he had a chance in the aftermath of a free kick but fired wide from the edge of the box.

James McKeown was forced off after half an hour, which presented Ben Killip with an unexpected opportunity to take his place. Killip looked a little uncertain at first but gradually found his feet after a bit of advice from the centre backs. Four added minutes was signalled to be played before the referee stopped the game again to have words with Mansfield boss Evans.

Town were good value for their half-time lead, with Dembele looking very dangerous by Mansfield looked threatening enough that another goal looked required to have a good chance of three points.

Town had a great chance to go 2-0 up after the break when Matt's cross-shot picked out Rose but his attempt was deflected wide from close range.

Matt was substituted to avoid getting sent off after a final warning from the referee, then Hooper replaced Jones in effectively Slade's only substitution.

Mansfield's substitute Angol though had an immediate impact, when he latched onto a loose ball in the box, spun and struck the ball past McKeown, although there was a suspicion of handball to his move.

Both sides had chances in the closing stages, and Grimsby had a clear penalty turned down late on, but Mansfield ended the match the stronger and probably had more of the chances on balance. Grimsby were hampered by the substitutions available because of the injury to McKeown and Matt talking his way into trouble with the referee.

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