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Archived News from March 2005

POOR STAGS FAIL TO WIN AGAIN
6th March 2005 22:16


Mansfield Town 1 - 1 Shrewsbury Town
Neil 63. Rodgers 74.
Att 3278 (485 from Shrewsbury)

Martin Shaw at Field Mill
Stagsnet report now in the Match centre.
Man of the Match: Adam Murray
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Football First match report:
By John Lomas

transcribed by carole
Cool Luke earns draw

CARLTON PALMER was expected to be appointed full-time manager of Mansfield this week, but now may turn the job down after another afternoon of abuse from the stands.

Mansfield were certainly disappointing in this 1-1 draw with in-form Shrewsbury – the first home point in three matches for Palmer.

But Palmer, who has been caretaker for almost four months, felt there was a section of fans only there to have a go at him and said: “I am disappointed with the crowd and will have a chat with the chairman and my family.

“If I am not going to be allowed to do the job properly, I will just walk away. I feel I have done well and I have won more points in my first 18 matches than Keith Curle did.”

In a dire first half Shrewsbury twice came close as Jake Sedgemore rattled a Mansfield post with a 12th-minute free-kick, while Luke Rodgers saw another effort come down off the bar.

But Mansfield went up a gear after the break and Alex Neil gave them a 65th minute lead, although his shot took a deflection off Darren Tinson.

The lead lasted just 11 minutes as Rodgers turned home Sam Aiston's low cross.

And the visitors finished the stronger with Kelvin Langmead flashing a chance over the bar.

Shrewsbury boss Gary Peters said: “We should have won that game. We had good chances.”


Mansfield Town…… Shrewsbury Town
47-----------Possession %---- 53
9------------Corners------------7
2------------Offsides-----------4
10-----------Fouls--------------11
1------------Yellow Cards-----2
0------------Red Cards----------0
5------------Shots on Target----8
3------------Shots off Target---4
0------------Hit Woodwork-----2

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BBC.co.uk:
Mansfield 1-1 Shrewsbury
Mansfield's play-off push took a blow after they were held by Shrewsbury.
Jake Sedgemore hit the post with a free-kick and Luke Rodgers crashed a shot against the underside of the bar as Shrewsbury started well.

Alex Neil put the Stags ahead in the 64th minute when he cut in from the right and his shot deflected in.

But with 15 minutes left, substitute Sam Aiston got away from Neil and crossed for Rodgers to equalise from close range to deny Mansfield victory.

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REPORT by Footymad

Luke Rodgers' seventh goal of the season finally ended Mansfield's lingering play-off hopes.

Rogers pounced in the 75th minute, turning in a near post cross from substitute Sam Aiston, to deny Mansfield their first home win in three games.

Rodgers' strike cancelled out Mansfield's fortunate breakthrough, when Alex Neil's 64th minute deflected shot from 20 yards rewarded the home side for an improved start to the second half.

Mansfield had almost got off to a dream start when Adam Murray half-volleyed narrowly wide from 50 yards after 90 seconds with keeper Scott Howie stranded.

But the home side were lucky ten minutes later when Jake Sedgemore curled a 20-yard free-kick against the post.

When Kelvin Langmead's clever turn and shot was blocked by Alex Baptiste's last-ditch tackle it was the only other piece of goalmouth action in a scrappy first 40 minutes.

The game finally sprang to life four minutes before half time when another Sedgemore free-kick was knocked down by Langmead and Rodgers volleyed against the underside of the bar.

Mansfield finally tested Howie minutes later, but Richie Barker's shot after a neat Murray lay-off lacked power.

The Stags improved immediately after half time and an Adam Rundle cross-shot was finger-tipped over the bar by Howie.

At the other end Kevin Pilkington saved from Langmead and from his clearance Mansfield grabbed a lucky lead.

Neil cut in from the right by-line and his tame shot was deflected past a stranded Howie to give the midfielder only his second goal for the club.

Debutant Andrew Barrowman and Gareth Jelleyman were both denied a second goal by smart Howie saves.

Shrewsbury almost made Mansfield pay for missing those chances when Ryan Lowe broke clear, but with just the keeper to beat he blazed over.

However, moments later Rodgers levelled to stretch in-form Shrewsbury's good run to one defeat in seven games.

And in the 90th minute the visitors almost snatched victory but again Langmead failed to test the keeper when well placed inside the area.
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