The return of several regular players gave the teamsheet a more familiar look after the Bank Holiday defeat at Kinsley. Newark were badly in need of a positive start, but this wasn’t to be as with just two minutes on the clock, a seemingly innocuous shot from Mark Carter somehow found its way past Chris Riley. Despite this nightmare beginning, Town started to put some decent moves together, Dom Swingler in particular looking lively on the left. Danny Purves had a free kick taken at full stretch by keeper Fletcher, and Sam Wilford sent a long range shot wide. Mansfield were rarely guilty of wasting a ball, and their slick build-up almost paid dividends, danger man Dean Rick finding James McCann on the right edge of the area, the resulting shot hitting the side netting. Town came within inches of an equaliser on 28 minutes, Wilford’s determined run releasing Swingler, whose drive hit the base of the post and rebounded to safety. The promise vanished soon afterwards, however, as not for the first time this season Newark conceded two goals in quick succession. On 33 minutes, Carter got his second after McCann’s ball in eluded the covering defenders. Less than two minutes later, Jamie Brooks gave the ball away on the edge of the area, and McCann thumped it past the helpless Riley from 25 yards. This was poor reward for a competent first half display, and but for Riley it could have been worse before the break. He first went down bravely at the feet of Rick to stop a certain goal and was quickly back on his feet to fingertip Carter’s follow up shot over the bar. Even better was his reaction save which diverted Danny Naylor’s 30 yard piledriver over the top.
A succession of corners for the home side marked the start of the second period, but Town weathered the storm. Riley again kept Rick at bay as he was through on goal, while a determined run from Tom Mallinson took him through several challenges, but Calum Fraser’s final shot was a yard wide. Man of the match George Pearce did well to hook the ball off the line to deny Rick once more, and on 64 minutes a superb run by Wilford cut through the home defence but Fletcher blocked his final shot. History repeated itself midway through the half, as once more Town conceded twice in as many minutes. First sub Rockie White fired home in a crowded goalmouth, then McCann set up a goal remarkable in that he appeared to handle the ball, receive it in an undeniably offside position and also foul Luke Parsons, but was still allowed to proceed, Callum Green being credited with the final touch. The Blues did however have the final say, as on 90 minutes Arron Martin was brought down in the area. Purves’ spot kick was parried by Fletcher, but the Town player slotted in the rebound. Town did at least live with the home side for a substantial part of the game, but this Mansfield side is composed of quality players, who combine really well, and must be an odds-on bet for top spot next May.