Mansfield ease pressure on John Dempster with hard-fought draw at Crewe

Posted Sunday, December 15, 2019 by PA

Mansfield eased the pressure on manager John Dempster as they fought hard for a 1-1 Sky Bet League Two draw at promotion-chasing Crewe.

Andy Cook cancelled out Chuma Anene’s opener for Crewe in the first half at Gresty Road and former Alex striker Nicky Maynard could have bagged all three points for the Stags had he not wasted several chances.

Crewe were indebted to goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen who twice thwarted Maynard when one-against-one before the break with the Mansfield frontman also hitting the woodwork in the second half.

Anene turned in Charlie Kirk’s low cross from close range for Crewe’s opener after eight minutes.

But – despite dominating the first half – the Railwaymen were pegged back when Eddie Nolan’s attempt to send Bobby Olejnik’s kick back to his goalkeeper set up Cook who lobbed Jaaskelainen with a deft flick after 27 minutes.

Jaaskelainen saved from Maynard again after the striker bounded clear onto Cook’s pass. And Crewe were almost trailing when CJ Hamilton pulled the ball back to Maynard who blazed over.

Mal Benning turned an Ollie Finney effort off the line and – in an entertaining contest which could have gone either way – Maynard was out of luck as his diving header off Alex McDonald’s cross cannoned off the far post.

Crewe livewire Kirk then struck Olejnik’s far post with a rising drive before both sides settled for a point apiece.