Braintree (A) L2-1 BSBP Game #45

Matt Green's 24th goal of the season yesterday could well have sent Mansfield back into the football league, however the promotion tale took another twist as Stags lost their grip on top spot, losing 2-1 at Braintree.

Stags were two points clear at the top of the table prior to kick off and would have gone five clear had they won at Braintree. 

Matt Green got the Stags off to an excellent start on eight minutes as he fired them ahead from Lee Beevers' exquisite long range pass. The Stags, buoyed by the opener kicked on but failed to get a second, Green slammed against the post whilst Daniel, Briscoe & Stevenson all saw efforts blocked.

The second half was a total nightmare, Braintree levelling on the hour mark through Matt Paine with a tame long range effort which should have been closed down, before Kaine Sheppard netted what proved to be the winner 14 minutes later.

Stags then cursed Braintree keeper Nathan McDonald as he thrice denied Matt Rhead, time proved to short in the end and Braintree wrecked the Stag Party, ruined further by the 5.15pm kick off as Kidderminster moved back to top of the table, beating Wrexham 2-1.

Simply Mansfield need to win their next two matches to go up as Champions. 

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