Late Smith equaliser denies Coughlan victory in first match as Mansfield boss

Posted Sunday, December 22, 2019 by PA

Graham Coughlan’s hopes of winning his first game as Mansfield manager were ruined by an 84th-minute Harry Smith equaliser as visiting Northampton claimed a 1-1 draw.

Smith’s strike wiped out Andy Cook’s 74th-minute goal as Mansfield, who appointed former Bristol Rovers boss Coughlan this week after sacking John Dempster, went a seventh game without a win.

Northampton came close to taking the lead inside 15 seconds as Sam Hoskins crashed a shot against the bar.

It was end to end as Will Tomlinson sent a 25-yard volley wide for the hosts, then Mansfield goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik had to beat away a far-post effort from Nicky Adams.

Danny Rose sent an overhead kick straight at David Cornell while Ryan Watson’s cross had Olejnik clawing the ball from under the crossbar as the half ended 0-0.

Mansfield midfielder CJ Hamilton went close on the break as he cut inside but just missed the target after 61 minutes.

But Cook then broke the deadlock as he turned from Malvind Benning’s throw and drilled inside the near post from 25 yards.

Hamilton blazed over a glorious chance to seal it in the 82nd minute and two minutes later Northampton substitute Smith levelled when he looped a header over Olejnik and under the bar from Adams’ ball.