Match Reports

07/12/2007 - Mansfield Town 0 Bradford City 0

AN air of bemusement and frustration hung over Field Mill last night after the latest round in the long-running boardroom battle left Mansfield fans wondering what on earth is going on at their club.

So it was fair to say an uninspiring home 0-0 draw, which left the Stags rooted to the foot of League Two, did little to lighten the mood.

In a grapple for control that is giving the upcoming bout between Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather a run for its money, this week's twist has seen owner Keith Haslam step down as chief executive and Stephen Booth appointed in his place.

But with James Derry staying on as chairman, despite a failed takeover bid last week, it has left supporters confused as to who holds power and bitter that the club's future is still in limbo.

Understandably, they thought a takeover had been completed in October when Haslam and Derry announced they had agreed a deal.

But the well-documented problems since means the uncertainty looks set to continue.

As Booth took his place in the directors' box for his first match, what Mansfield's loyal followers wanted more than anything as they arrived at the ground was a home victory. At least things could then be said to be looking up on the field.

But though they had their moments, and passed the ball well at times, Mansfield could not find a way through in what was their first goalless match this season.

The key moment in the game from the host's point of view came in the 20th minute when Rory Boulding was tugged back in the box by veteran David Wetherall and the referee awarded a penalty.

Brother Michael tried to capitalise on his sibling's good work but, as he went for placement, Donovan Ricketts guessed the right way and pushed the ball to safety, diving to his right.

Had the spot-kick gone in, you would have fancied the Stags' chances to go on and clinch the win that would have pulled them back clear of the drop zone.

Instead, there was an almost immediate let-off for Mansfield as Omar Daley cannoned a shot against the right-hand post after the ball ran to him following Kyle Nix's run into the box.

But that proved to be as close as the two sides would come as the game fizzled out more and more the longer it went on.

In the closing stages there might have been a case of the Stags changing things up front to give Bradford an alternative problem in the shape of John McAliskey's height.

Even without him, though, the lack of pressing action for Ricketts in the City goal was a real disappointment to the home fans.

While the result was not what boss Billy Dearden had hoped for, there were some clear positives he could take from the game - not least Mansfield's fourth clean sheet at home in a row.

It means it is now 368 minutes since they last conceded on their own territory - when MK Dons scored their winner in a 2-1 success on October 2.

With that recent record it is remarkable to think the Stags failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their first 13 matches of the campaign.

But now they look a much tougher nut to crack and central defenders Alex John-Baptiste and Jake Buxton once again set the standard with commanding displays. They patrolled former Stag Barry Conlon and top scorer Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu with an authority that inspired confidence.

Keeper Carl Muggleton also did his bit with a couple of crucial saves and punches when the Bantams looked likely to break through.

This was the type of game Mansfield would have ended up losing 1-0 earlier in the season - the clash with Dagenham being a perfect example.

So with their luck out in attack, a point was better than nothing, especially with another home game against Bury on Saturday.

However, with other clubs just above them at the bottom finding some form, notably Lincoln and Wrexham, it really does crank up the pressure ahead of the Shakers' visit.

Add to that the Stags' woeful performances against the Lancashire club at Field Mill in the last two seasons, and things suddenly look a lot tougher. If the Stags can get the three points, it will keep them in touch with their fellow strugglers going into the Christmas period.

And it might just allow them to snatch the headlines away from off-the-field matters too.