Stevenage defeat dents Mansfield’s promotion hopes

Posted Sunday, April 28, 2019 by PA

Mansfield’s promotion hopes were rocked by a 2-1 home defeat by Stevenage as Ilias Chair netted a winner three minutes into added time.

The Stags were firmly on top for the first 20 minutes and goalkeeper Paul Farman had to save from Mal Benning and Will Tomlinson.

But the visitors suddenly upped a gear and stopper Conrad Logan had to beat away a Ben Nugent shot from eight yards.

A minute later, Kurtis Guthrie’s header deflected onto a post, then Logan had to claw over a long-range Chair effort.

But Mansfield were back in control when – against the run of play after 73 minutes – Guthrie controlled a right-wing cross, turned and volleyed low past Logan.

The home side threw everything forward and 11 minutes from time Farman blocked a Jacob Mellis shot and Nugent superbly blocked CJ Hamilton’s follow-up.

The equaliser came six minutes from time as Tyler Walker beat the advancing Farman to Logan’s long kick and sent it into the gaping net.

But, with Mansfield throwing everything forward, they were caught out at the death as Chair steered a low 18-yard shot inside the left post to leave the home side level on points with fourth-placed MK Dons in third.