George Lapslie and Jordan Bowery’s goals earned Mansfield Town an impressive 2-1 victory over big spenders Salford City on Tuesday night.
Mansfield were knocking the ball around well in the opening stages of the game and were almost rewarded with their first notable move. Jordan Bowery finding space inside the area to shoot but the attempt was blocked well by the Salford defence.
The home side didn't have to wait long for their first goal of the night though because on 15 minutes, Lapslie pounced onto a loose ball and tucked his first-time effort into the corner following a cross into the box that Salford couldn't get clear.
The Stags continued piling on the pressure when Lapslie harried goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky into blindly clearing his lines.
Minutes later, James Perch threaded towards Harry Charsley but the shot was saved well by Salford’s stopper.
On the half-hour mark it was 2 though, Perch’s next swinging cross was left to bobble around a crowded penalty area and Bowery was there to fire home for his fourth goal in four successive Sky Bet League Two fixtures.
James Wilson then hit an effort for the visitors towards goal but the strike was held by Stags keeper Stech, as Salford tried to get a goal of their own.
Into the second period and the away side clearly got a rocket up the backside from manager Richie Wellens. Tom Elliott and Jordan Turnbull were introduced at half time for Salford, with Elliott looping a shot over then Ibou Touray hitting a brilliant effort that flew narrowly above the bar, before Ryan Sweeney’s crucial challenge stopped James Wilson from scoring as Salford started to really turn up the pressure.
They did then manage to score a consolation late on, Bernard finishing from side the box after a corner kick which offered late hope for the visitors, but the Stags were able to see out the game and collect all three points.
MANSFIELD 2 SALFORD 1
Lapslie 15 Bernard 90
Bowery 30
STAGS XI: Štěch (GK), Benning, Sweeney, Rawson, Charsley, Clarke ©, Bowery, Maris, Perch, Reid, Lapslie
UNUSED SUBS: Stone (GK), O’Keeffe, Menayese, Cook, O’Driscoll, McLaughlin, Sinclair
SALFORD XI: Hladky (GK), I. Touray, Lowe, Eastham ©, Clarke (Elliott 46’), Hunter, Bernard, Threlkeld, Wilson (Andrade 61’), Asante (Turnbull 46’), Henderson
UNUSED SUBS: Evans (GK), Burgess, Denny, M. Touray
REFEREE: Will Finnie
ASSISTANTS: Robert Atkin & Bradley Hall
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Samuel Barrott
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