Mansfield bounce back from midweek loss to beat Swindon in five-goal thriller

Posted Sunday, March 10, 2024 by PA

League Two leaders Mansfield boosted their promotion hopes with a battling 3-2 win over Swindon at One Call Stadium.

The Stags, looking for an immediate response to their midweek home defeat to MK Dons, hit the front early through Lucas Akins and looked in control at the break.

However, Swindon drew level at 2-2 before the hour mark thanks to goals from Paul Glatzel and Aaron Drinan either side of a Davis Keillor-Dunn strike.

But Town substitute Will Swan’s header moments after entering the pitch in the 65th minute wrapped up a crucial win for Mansfield.

Hiram Boateng fired a good chance over for Stags inside the first four minutes but Akins made no mistake seconds later when he slotted home after a perfect pass from Keillor-Dunn.

Swindon goalkeeper Jack Bycroft tipped away Keillor-Dunn’s long-range curler, before Akins clipped the post in the 13th minutes as Mansfield looked to build on their early advantage.

But there were no more goals in the first half and Glatzel levelled for the visitors in the 50th minute after Mansfield failed to clear their lines.

Stags regained the lead a minute later when Keillor-Dunn emphatically smashed home after a quick break, but Town hit back once more and equalised a second in the 59th minute when Drinan got on the end of a Zachary Elbouzedi cross.

Mansfield would not be denied though, and Swan headed home Ollie Clarke’s cross three minutes after coming on to secure the points.