Notts Beaten at Mansfield
Mansfield ran out winners at the One Call Stadium as four second half goals, on top of Matt Green’s sixth minute strike, saw the Stags win all three points.
The first chance of the game fell to Mansfield, Reggie Lambe crossing to Matt Blair at the back post, but his side foot volley was well blocked and Notts cleared.
The home side took the lead in the 6th minute, Mal Benning’s cross dropped to Matt Green who struck it on the half volley into the corner of the net from 10 yards.
Notts reacted as Filip Valencic won a corner in the 10th minute, Thierry Audel’s header looped high, falling to Jon Stead, but he could only volley over.
Liam Noble broke into the box two minutes later, floating a cross to Wes Atkinson at the back post, the defender doing well to clear over his bar. From the corner Scott Shearer rose highest to claim the ball.
Notts had a succession of corners as each attack was aimlessly cleared by the home side, allowing the visitors to mount a series of attacks. The final forage forward ending in Izale McLeod driving straight at Shearer in the Mansfield goal.
Stanley Aborah picked up the game’s first caution in the 25th minute after Matt Blair went down under a challenge from the midfielder.
McLeod should have brought the teams level ten minutes before half time. Jon Stead won a free kick wide on the Notts left, Noble’s inswinging kick was met by McLeod but the striker got too much on the ball and sent it over Shearer’s bar.
It was still Notts who looked the most like scoring out of the two teams, Aborah’s ball forward was delightfully controlled by Noble who turned his man before firing inches wide of the near post, with Shearer well beaten.
Jon Stead picked up County’s second booking three minutes into the second half, catching Daniel Alfeai near the byline.
Matt Blair struck the second half’s first effort, shooting low towards Scott Loach’s right hand corner but the keeper was down well to claim.
Mitchell Rose replaced Mani Dieseruvwe as the home side made their first change in the 54th minute.
Immediately Notts almost hit the equaliser, clever footwork from Jon Stead made some room on the byline, his chipped cross just evaded Liam Noble and Elliott Hewiit who were rushing in to meet the cross, and the ball was cleared.
From the resulting throw in McLeod met Hewitt’s cross with a brave diving header, but he couldn’t get his effort on target.
In the 56th minute Adam Chapman doubled the home side’s lead. He swung his free kick from the home side’s left wing into the far top corner leaving Loach with no chance.
And four minutes later Mansfield made it three. Matt Green blocked Mike Edwards’ clearance, racing into the box before finishing low past Loach.
Mark Cooper reacted with a double change in the 62nd minute, Jon Stead and Izale McLeod came off with Montel Gibson and Adam Campbell taking their places up front.
Filip Valencic won Notts a corner in the 67th minute, Scott Shearer tipping his cross over at the near post.
From the Notts County corner Mansfield added their fourth. Matt Blair broke down their right hand side, crossing low for Reggie Lambe who finished easily at the back post.
Mawouna Amevor replaced Mike Edwards as Notts made their final change in the 69th minute.
Mansfield made their second change in the 79th minute, Jamie McGuire coming on to replace Reggie Lambe.
Wes Atkinson almost pulled one back for the visitors, but his shot at the near post was deflected over the crossbar for a Notts corner.
In the 83rd minute Mansfield made it 5-0. Adam Chapman drove from the corner of the area, Loach getting hands to the shot but he couldn’t get it clear and Mitchell Rose tapped home.
Shearer saved well from Liam Noble as the visitors looked for a consolation, the midfielder curling a free kick towards goal from 25 yards only for the keeper to make a smart save, Campbell’s corner eventually being cleared.
As the game entered the last minute of normal time, Gibson drove a low cross from the right but none of the Notts players in the box could get a telling touch.
Notts couldn’t find the consolation goal they looked for, the referee blowing the final whistle after four minutes of added time.
Team: Loach, Hollis, Noble, Hewitt, Valencic, Atkinson, Stead (Campell 62’), Audel, Aborah, Edwards (Amevor 69’), McLeod (Gibson 62’)
Unused Subs: Carroll, Smith, Sarpong, Wildin
Att: 6,357 (Away 1,741)