Northampton’s play-off hopes dented by Stags defeat

Posted Sunday, March 08, 2020 by PA

Northampton’s play-off hopes suffered a setback when they were beaten 2-1 by struggling Mansfield in a bad-tempered clash at Sixfields.

Forward Sam Hoskins was sent off for Cobblers after just 11 minutes and Danny Rose scored the subsequent penalty kick before Willem Tomlinson’s second-half strike sealed Mansfield’s first away win in over two months.

Northampton made the better start and Nicky Adams went close with a well-struck free-kick, acrobatically tipped over by Stags goalkeeper Aidan Stone.

But it all unravelled for the home side after 11 minutes when Hoskins saw red for pushing Harry Charsley as the last defender and Rose made no mistake from the spot.

Tempers flared on several occasions in a heated first half but Northampton coped well with their numerical disadvantage and Vadaine Oliver came close to levelling with a spectacular overhead-kick.

Steve Arnold produced a fine double save from Rose and Charsley before Tomlinson clipped the crossbar early in the second half.

Northampton were still in the game and Stone pulled off two excellent stops to deny Lloyd Jones and Scott Wharton, but it was game over with 16 minutes to go when Mansfield broke clear and Nicky Maynard slipped in Tomlinson, who calmly beat Arnold.

Northampton did manage a late consolation when Harry Smith headed in Adams’ cross in stoppage time.