SKY BET LEAGUE 2 PLAY OFF SEMI FINAL, SECOND LEG
Wednesday May 18th, 7.45pm
Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0
MANSFIELD TOWN 1
Stephen McLaughlin 32
Mansfield Town win 3-1 on aggregate
Attendance: 7,619 (1,463 away fans)
Cobblers: Liam Roberts, Joseph Mills (sub Danny Rose 65), Fraser Horsfall, Jon Guthrie, Ali Koiki, Jack Sowerby, Shaun McWilliams, Mitch Pinnock, Josh Eppiah (sub Chanka Zimba 68), Sam Hoskins, Louis Appere
Subs not used: Jonny Maxted, Max Dyche, Idris Kanu, Michael Harriman, Paul Lewis
Mansfield: Nathan Bishop, Stephen McLaughlin, Elliott Hewitt, Jordan Bowery, Oli Hawkins, James Perch, Stephen Quinn (sub George Lapslie 82), Rhys Oates, Kieran Wallace (sub Ollie Clarke 85), John-Joe O’Toole, Lucas Akins
Subs not used: Marek Stech, Farrend Rawson, Jamie Murphy, Ryan Stirk, Matty Longstaff
Referee: Ben Toner
Booked:
Cobblers: Mitch Pinnock (87), Fraser Horsfall (90)
Mansfield: John-Joe O'Toole (53), James Perch (63)
Sent off:
Cobblers: none
Mansfield: none
Liam Roberts was back from suspension for the play-off semi-final second leg while Josh Eppiah and Louis Appere were both fit enough to start in a boost for Jon Brady. Paul Lewis was named on the bench following an injury lay-off. Mansfield held a 2-1 lead from the first leg but the tie was still very much in the balance as the teams took to the field in front of a sold out Sixfields.
In a high octane fervent atmosphere the Cobblers almost got off to the perfect start but on the stretch Nathan Bishop was able to keep out a header from Eppiah. Fraser Horsfall then headed wide from a corner as the home side pressed for an early goal that would level the tie.
Jack Sowerby, able to continue after taking a blow to the head, saw a fiercely struck effort blocked by Kieran Wallace while Lucas Akins made a vital interception to prevent Ali Koiki getting on the end of a tantalising cross from Eppiah.
Mansfield took the lead against the run of play and went 3-1 up on aggregate just after the half-hour mark, Stephen McLaughlin turning in a cross from Elliott Hewitt, the goal given despite the Cobblers protestations for off-side against Stephen Quinn.
The Cobblers appealed without joy for a penalty following a Mitch Pinnock long throw that saw Horsfall bundled over in the box but referee Ben Toner was unconvinced.
Appere went down in the area under a challenge from Jon-Joe O’Toole at the start of the second half but again the decision from Mr Toner was no penalty much to the frustration of the Cobblers players and supporters.
Wallace was maybe fortunate to get away with only a yellow card following a reckless challenge on Eppiah before Danny Rose came on for Joseph Mills in the Cobblers first change. Eppiah, struggling with injury, then had to be replaced by Chanka Zimba.
Sam Hoskins had a shot blocked by Oli Hawkins and Sowerby went close with a drilled effort just wide as the Cobblers pressed hard for a goal. It wasn't to be for Brady's side though and Mansfield booked their place at Wembley.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 3
CORNERS: (3) 7
FOULS: (1) 8
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 4
MANSFIELD MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 1
CORNERS: (2) 2
FOULS: (3) 12
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2