Hard earned point for the Boro...
Stevenage are now four games unbeaten, as Dino Maamria's side held out for a draw against a out of form Stags in our last Tuesday night fixture of the season.
The starting XI saw just one change from Saturday’s win at Newport, with Matty Godden returning to the side and coming in for the injured Ben Kennedy.
Whilst the bench saw the inclusion of Chelsea loanee Charlie Wakefield for the first time this season.
Dino’s boys certainly started the game on the front foot, continuously bombarding the box within the first 5 minutes, not letting Mansfield to maintain the ball.
However, it did not take long for Dave Flitcroft to wake his side up as Hemmings got in behind the Boro defence and looked to cause problems, but Luke Wilkinson was on guard to deal with the danger.
Just minutes later Stevenage got back the upper hand with the opening goal of the game in the 15th minute.
Striker Danny Newton opened up space just inside the box and rifled the ball into the back of the net, leaving Logan helpless in the away goal.
Stevenage could have doubled their lead in the 19th minute, as the ball bounced around the Mansfield box and finally fell nicely to the feet of Danny Newton, who has just narrowly had his effort deflected wide and off the post for a corner.
Matty Godden was clearly eager to get his first goal since coming back from injury as he tried to follow up on Danny’s attempt, but Logan just got enough on it to deal with the danger.
Tom King was first called into action in the 25th minute as Mansfield had their first real chance of the game to level the score.
Alex MacDonald entered the Stevenage area and had a low drive effort at goal, but the Millwall loanee was alive to get down low and collect his shot.
The travelling Stags failed to really get going in the first half, with Alex MacDonald’s chance being their only real opportunity to get themselves back into the game.
Stevenage nearly got their second of the game on the brink of half-time, as Danny Newton was being his normal pestering self within the Mansfield danger zone.
The in-form striker once again managed to find space on the edge of the box and came ever so close to increasing Boro’s lead, but Conrad Logan reacted well to parry his effort wide.
The score line remained at 1-0 as the boys went into the break, but Dino would certainly be making it clear to his boys to keep up their high intensity as they have been doing for the first 45 minutes.
Mansfield started the second half the better side and they were rewarded for their bright start just 5 minutes in to the second half.
The Stags managed to bring the score back level as they broke through the Stevenage defence and the ball was pulled back for Atkinson just inside the box, who found the back of the net.
Minutes later Mansfield were at it again, charging towards the Stevenage back four in numbers as Hemmings picked out Rose who just got his shot blocked.
Dino made his first change of the game in the 53rd minute, with a double substitution including Dale Gorman and Tom Conlon coming on in place of Ben Sheaf and Chris Whelpdale.
Stevenage certainly did not drop their heads, as Luke Amos had a great chance to get the Boro back in front with an effort in front of goal.
Logan came off his line and made himself big in front of the midfielder and did well to get in the way of his shot in the 57th minute.
Mansfield claimed a penalty in the 60th minute as fullback Hayden White went to ground inside the box, but referee Seb Stockbridge waved off the appeal and gave the defender a yellow card for simulation.
The travelling fans loudly got behind their team as David Flitcroft’s side bombarded the box with attacks in high numbers, desperate to take the lead with just 20 minutes left to go.
Danny Newton came close to putting Stevenage back ahead against the run of play, as his deflected effort from just outside the box narrowly crept past the post in the 75th minute.
The final 10 minutes was a nervous period for both sets of fans, as both teams gave everything they had led to ensure their team the win.
Mansfield nearly found the winner in the 83rd minute through Kane Hemmings with a outswinging effort froma tight angle, which required Tom King to quickly
Despite Mansfield strong finish to the game, Stevenage held out for a hard fought draw against David Flitcroft's side in a highly intesne 90 minutes for both sets of teams.