Despite a hard-fought battle, both sides cancel each other out as it ends in a goalless draw at The Lamex Stadium...
It was a frosty Saturday afternoon, but thanks to the incredible grounds staff, Boro’s game was on, and fellow promotion hopefuls Mansfield were the opponents. Steve Evans named an unchanged starting eleven from last Friday’s 5-0 win over Barrow.
The first ten minutes were high tempo as both sides looked to open the scoring. Boro managed to find the back of the net due to an own goal, but Jamie Reid was in an offside position in the build-up. Stevenage looked to press high up the pitch when the Mansfield defence were on the ball.
Boro were under some pressure twenty minutes in, as Rhys Oates carried the ball down the left-wing and looked to create a chance. Luther James-Wildin, however, defended superbly and cleared the danger.
Rhys Oates looked to be the danger man for The Stags who sat just inside the play-off places. A dangerous cross into the box found the head of Oates who could only nod it into the hands of Taye Ashby-Hammond.
Boro were playing some nice football in and around the Mansfield area as they searched for an opener. The ball fell to Dean Campbell on the edge of the area whose left-footed effort deflected out for a corner.
The remainder of the first half was rather quiet as both sides cancelled each other out before the referee blew for half-time.
As the second half got underway, Stevenage looked the brighter side. Jake Reeves looked to play Jordan Roberts through on goal, but the Stags defence managed to scramble the ball clear.
Saxon Earley looked electric on the left-hand side as he skipped past two defenders just before the hour mark and tried his luck with his right-foot, but former Boro keeper Christy Pym denied the youngster’s effort.
Both sides were battling hard but neither found a way through and it was time for Steve Evans to make his first substitutions of the evening. Danny Rose, Arthur Read and Jake Taylor replaced Jamie Reid, Alex Gilbey and Dean Campbell respectively.
Just five minutes remained and still neither side managed to open the scoring. There were fierce battles all over the pitch but both side lacked clear-cut chances.
The ball was played into the box with just minutes remaining as Luke Norris tried to get on the end of it, but his sliding effort fizzed past the far post.
The Fourth Official’s board indicated three minutes of added time as Mansfield looked to see out the draw against the side sitting second in the table. No team was able to make the difference as the referee blew his final whistle. Now onto Tuesday as attention turns to The Papa John’s Trophy in Portsmouth.
Attendance: 3301 including 640 away supporters.