Mansfield Town 1 - 1 Doncaster Rovers: Liam Mandeville rescues point for leaders Doncaster

Posted Saturday, December 31, 2016 by PA

Liam Mandeville rescued a point from the penalty spot for leaders Doncaster in a tight 1-1 draw at Mansfield.

The Stags had ended a goal drought of 343 minutes in the 59th minute when Matt Green guided a low Mal Benning shot from 18 yards inside the left-hand post after James Baxendale's corner had been half-cleared.

It was Green's 10th goal of the season and just reward for a great start to the second half by the home side, with CJ Hamilton forcing two early saves at the near post from goalkeeper Marko Marosi.

But Rovers were level after 77 minutes as keeper Scott Shearer blocked a shot by John Marquis but then brought down Tommy Rowe before he could follow up. Mandeville sent him the wrong way from the spot.

Doncaster almost stole it two minutes from time as a Rowe header from a corner hit the inside of the near post and rolled into Shearer's arms on the line.

The tightest of first halves ended goalless with neither keeper troubled by a shot and maintained Mansfield's unwanted record of not having scored at home in a first half all season.