Stags out of the JPT as Chesterfield grab a narrow victory

Chesterfield tonight avenged the Stags win at the Proact Stadium ten days ago by grabbing a narrow 1-0 win to dump the Stags out of the JPT. Despite being beaten by their arch rivals through Gary McSheffery’s tap in, the concern was for defender Ritchie Sutton who, in the build up, collided with keeper Alan Marriott and was eventually stretchered off injured after a ten minute stoppage for treatment.  

Paul Cox finally reverted to 4-4-2 ahead of the second derby show-down in ten days having lost 4-1 at home to Hartlepool on Saturday, the Stags stood solid during the first half and perhaps should have been ahead at the break as Lee Stevenson, one of four changes, twice poked wide whilst Sam Clucas and Calvin Andrew were denied by the equally resilient Chesterfield who were keen to avenge the result from ten days ago.

Alan Marriott, who was excellent in the fixture at the proact stadium, again played an important part during the first half as he punched away numerous set-plays. He also atoned for his error of judgement against Hartlepool by palming away a dangerous free kick from Jamie Devitt seconds before the half time whistle.

The visitors began the second half the brighter as they squandered two chances through Chris Porter following teasing crosses from O’Shea – Alan Marriott also had to respond well to deny Devitt from 18 yards after O’Shea had again weaved his way down the flanks prior to the hour mark.

Junior Daniel wasted Mansfield’s golden chance moments later as he was denied by Tommy Lee following an excellent pass from Stevenson, despite winning two resulting corners, the Stags failed to break the deadlock as a penalty shootout crept closer.

Jamie McGuire, who will miss Saturday’s game with Bristol Rovers through suspension after collecting his fifth yellow of the season, was replaced by Anthony Howell on 70 minutes through injury and only seconds later, Gary McSheffery tapped home the opening goal into an empty net following a long ball forward to give the visitors the lead, in the build up to it, Alan Marriott and Ritchie Sutton both collided with the latter requiring extensive treatment before the game could get back underway and was eventually replaced by James Jennings following the ten minute break. 

Due to the injury there were 14 minutes of added time, in the first minute of it Anthony Howell saw a close range effort deflect behind for a second corner following Jennings’ quick delivery, the second disappointingly failed to test the visitors as Mansfield searched for, but ultimately failed to find a leveller as the visitors ran the clock down.

FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 0-1 Chesterfield

REFEREE: Michael Naylor

ATTENDANCE: 4,837 (1,307)

STAGS: Alan Marriott, Ritchie Sutton (James Jennings 80), John Dempster ©, Martin Riley, Lee Beevers, Junior Daniel, Jamie McGuire (Anthony Howell 70), Keiran Murtagh, Sam Clucas, Lee Stevenson (Ollie Palmer 85), Calvin Andrew
UNUSED SUBS: Matt Rhead, Lindon Meikle