Just back

Totally dominated the first half. Disley's injury was a big blow as he and Naylor were running the show. We were still on top up until the first goal which came from a corner whilst Miller was off the pitch. Second goal was a screamer out of nowhere and completely flattered an average but very physical Mansfield side. For me everyone had a decent game, with the exception of Thanoj who I thought was poor when he came on. Very unlucky to lose and again the Town support was excellent.

Thanoj has had a massive chance in the past two weeks and unfortunately has been lacking in every game. Could yet still be a good player but not what we need right now.

Mansfield not a patch on Kiddy. Lucky to score when Miller off the pitch. On another night we'd have scored 5. Just before their second Hannah missed a golden chance. Devitt destroyed their FB but the final ball wasn't quite there. I'd expect to beat these if we got them in the play offs, just a bunch of meatheads.

Town started well and showed there was no hangover from Saturdays defeat. The first half was probably the best performance for months as we were dominant at the back and in midfield and had good movement up front. The down side was that when hannah got through he failed to beat the keeper and also had a good effort well saved.

Half time and Disley has to go off injured and boy did we miss him. Anyone who is in any doubt about his value would have seen why he is so vital to us.

Miller went down heavily on the half way line ( in the premier league the opponents would have been 'pressured' into putting the ball out) but as it wasnt a hea dinjury play continued. When he had to leave the pitch they scored from a header from the resultant corner. Prior to this Miller and Pearson were dominant in the air.

We then resorted to too much long high ball. Why? God only knows but we do seem to struggle once we go behind. I am convinced had we scored first we would have won.
We had a couple of chances but Devitt put the ball too near the keeper when having good crossing opportunities. He must give the strikers a chance of doing their job.

Their 2nd was a worldy. Unstoppable strike.

Miller and Pearson did well and both full backs did better than Saturday although Thomas' attacking threat was reduced as he had Mieklein his pocket.

Naylor was excellent. Far above this level.

Without Niven and Disley we are a very young side and a lot of responsibility rests on Millers shoulders. We could do with another experienced head imo

Mansfield are on a hell of a run but on the night werent worldbeaters however momentum is with them and it was what won them the points in the end.

Is that the end of our championship hopes? Not entirely. I am told (but havent looked) that we are 7 points behind with 2 games in hand? That isnt insurmountable as we only have one game against a top 6 side.

Play like we did for most of tonight and the season isnt over yet.

Quoted from Theimperialcoroner

Mansfield not a patch on Kiddy. Lucky to score when Miller off the pitch. On another night we'd have scored 5. Just before their second Hannah missed a golden chance. Devitt destroyed their FB but the final ball wasn't quite there. I'd expect to beat these if we got them in the play offs, just a bunch of meatheads.

Was that the ball Aswad played in? If so, on the radio they gave him credit for going as close as he did because the ball to him had been played in behind him

I've got a feeling that when he does get his goal, the floodgates will open and we'll see the Hannah that made us want to get him in in the first place

If its the playoffs, I hope we get Mansfield, they are a physical team that look for set pieces, remind of the Northampton side that we beat at wembley, but we should have too much for them over two legs. It was a shame tonight, just weren't clinical, woot ourselves in some great positions, but delivery or finish not good enough. Cook a bit infuriating, never seemed to be in the box! Hopefully Hannah can start scoring again and Hearn will be scoring like he was before.

Quoted from FishOutOfWater

Was that the ball Aswad played in? If so, on the radio they gave him credit for going as close as he did because the ball to him had been played in behind him

I've got a feeling that when he does get his goal, the floodgates will open and we'll see the Hannah that made us want to get him in in the first place

Yeah, I did actually think a out calling it a golden chance, ball was awkward for him, but had he got the right contact it was a goal such was his position.

Quoted from BIGChris

Town started well and showed there was no hangover from Saturdays defeat. The first half was probably the best performance for months as we were dominant at the back and in midfield and had good movement up front. The down side was that when hannah got through he failed to beat the keeper and also had a good effort well saved.

Half time and Disley has to go off injured and boy did we miss him. Anyone who is in any doubt about his value would have seen why he is so vital to us.

Miller went down heavily on the half way line ( in the premier league the opponents would have been 'pressured' into putting the ball out) but as it wasnt a hea dinjury play continued. When he had to leave the pitch they scored from a header from the resultant corner. Prior to this Miller and Pearson were dominant in the air.

We then resorted to too much long high ball. Why? God only knows but we do seem to struggle once we go behind. I am convinced had we scored first we would have won.
We had a couple of chances but Devitt put the ball too near the keeper when having good crossing opportunities. He must give the strikers a chance of doing their job.

Their 2nd was a worldy. Unstoppable strike.

Miller and Pearson did well and both full backs did better than Saturday although Thomas' attacking threat was reduced as he had Mieklein his pocket.

Naylor was excellent. Far above this level.

Without Niven and Disley we are a very young side and a lot of responsibility rests on Millers shoulders. We could do with another experienced head imo

Mansfield are on a hell of a run but on the night werent worldbeaters however momentum is with them and it was what won them the points in the end.

Is that the end of our championship hopes? Not entirely. I am told (but havent looked) that we are 7 points behind with 2 games in hand? That isnt insurmountable as we only have one game against a top 6 side.

Play like we did for most of tonight and the season isnt over yet.

Great post Chris, I also think had we have scored first we would have gone on to win. We need to stay positive! Bring on Cambrige!

I can't stand Mansfield. From their awful fame hungry pube-headed chairman adorning their ground with banners proclaiming "IN JOHN RADFORD WE TRUST" to flipping Chelsea Dagger blaring out their PA system after goals and the 'all-ticket' fiasco preventing Town fans from attending they can intercourse right off. I don't have much time for John Fenty but at least he's not as egotistical enough to stick up "IN JOHN FENTY WE TRUST" banners all over the Findus stand.

Far too many times we got the ball outside to Devitt and Marshall who beat their man only to fail when it came to the final ball. Our final delivery into the box just isn't good enough. Hannah should have scored today but when clean through he messed up because he doesn't have a right foot. Their first goal was balderdash scored by their fat pub team striker after they injured Miller and forced him off the pitch for treatment leaving us to defend a corner with 10 men. Their second was a wonder-strike but by that point it looked like we'd pushed too many forward and it was far too easy for them to find the space around the box where they scored from. It's frustrating because we played better, and Mansfield weren't great, but we still can't come away with a result.

One of those matches that makes football so frustrating at times.

We were very good first half, both teams started decently but we definitely got on top as the half wore on. It was the best we've played in months but we just couldn't manage to score.  

Disley going off definitely made a difference, Thanoj isn't quite the player some people make him out to be just yet but nevertheless, we still looked like we would get the win until their first goal. After that, we folded a bit and didn't look the same. Their second was a brilliant strike that we couldn't do much about.

Not completely out of the title race but got to rely on other teams and also do the business ourselves now. If we can play like we did in the first hour then we'll win more games than not, that is for sure.