13/08/2007 - Brentford 1 Mansfield Town 1
In recent times, a Mansfield Town win on the opening day of the season has become almost as rare as finding a four-leaf clover.
Only once in the last decade, when Plymouth were beaten 4-3 in the first match of the 2002-2003 campaign, have the Stags got off to a perfect start.
But even though three points were once again not forthcoming at Griffin Park, rarely can the Stags have played so well or deserved victory more in their curtain-raiser.
Going into the game, the odds seemed stacked against Billy Dearden's men - and not just because the bookies had the hosts as massive favourites. The Stags were coming off the back of a disappointing 4-0 home defeat to Huddersfield while relegated Brentford had bolstered their squad with ten new signings in their bid to bounce straight back up to League One.
There was also the Stags' appalling record in West London to take into consideration. Not since 1974-75, when Ray Clarke, Jim McCaffrey and Kevin Bird netted in a 3-2 victory for a Stags side en route to the old Division Four title, had Brentford been conquered on their own patch.
It has to be said that many observers, including injured midfielder Jonathan D'Laryea who was up in the press box working for local radio, feared the worst for Mansfield when they went behind in the 14th minute. But the players defied expectations to not only fight their way back into the match but also create more than enough opportunities to win it.
Even Bees boss Terry Butcher was under no illusions that Mansfield might have travelled back up the M1 victorious. His first instinct was to talk of the contribution of on-loan keeper Ben Hamer, who he felt kept his team in the game. When an opposing manager admits as much, it is a telling indication he feels a little fortunate to have escaped defeat.
Dearden was disappointed a game-clinching second goal was not secured, but there were still plenty of positives for him to draw on.
While annoyed at the set-piece goal the Stags conceded, he could have been very pleased with his new-look back four which limited Brentford to just a handful of half-chances. The midfield quartet were industrious, not only helping out their defence but also getting forward to support the attack at every opportunity.
But the most satisfying performances came from front men Michael Boulding and John McAliskey, who gave the Bees' rearguard a torrid time. Many have questioned where Mansfield's goals will come from, but if this showing is anything to go by, the duo have the makings of a dangerous partnership.
So often the best strike pairings are a little and large combination and in that regard, Boulding and McAliskey seem the perfect fit. Boulding showed he has the pace to upset even the best defenders at this level, scoring a superb equaliser and was also denied on four other occasions.
McAliskey held the ball up adroitly, brought others into play on a regular basis, won a decent share of balls in the air and was unlucky not to score when his shot struck the angle of post and bar.
It is still early days but, on the evidence of this, Mac and Michael can be the goal threat needed.
Perhaps a little anxious after the humbling in their last outing, the visitors were slow getting out of the blocks and Brentford held sway in the early exchanges. It was from a corner they forged ahead when the Mansfield defence failed to clear Grant Basey's left-wing cross after the kick was taken short, leaving Allan Connell to pick his spot with an angled drive from 12 yards.
But the Mansfield response was swift. After Boulding went close with a shot that was well saved, he made no mistake with an early contender for goal of the season in the 23rd minute.
Picking up the ball more than 30 yards out he swivelled before drilling an unstoppable shot into the top left-hand corner. Mansfield visibly grew in confidence and more than held their own.
But it was after the restart they really carved Brentford opened and only poor finishing and smart goalkeeping kept them at bay. Dan Martin blazed wide when clear and McAliskey struck the woodwork, while Boulding (three times) and substitute Nathan Arnold forced decent saves.
There was a scare for Mansfield in the final seconds, even though a Brentford winner would have been unjust, when Bees substitute Ryan Peters went down under challenge from Jason White. Referee Andy Penn waved away the hosts' claims.
One game is not a true barometer of how the season is going to pan out for Mansfield. It is, after all, just one game out of 46. But the early signs are good and should give the Stags fans a lot more cause for optimism than they had a week ago.
matt.halfpenny@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk