Match report: Mansfield Town 2 Stevenage 1

AS the season draws to a close, the hard work for Mansfield Town boss David Holdsworth is just beginning.

Yesterday's victory over play-off chasing Stevenage underlines the Stags have made good progress under their boss in the second half of the season – and stayed unbeaten at Field Mill during that time.

Yet Holdsworth is only too aware there is still plenty of work to do to break into the Blue Square Premier's top five next year.

This was an impressive performance from the Stags in front of a season's best gate.

But for periods of the game they were second best to a classy side, reduced to 10-men for the second half, who had lost just one of their previous 30 matches.

It was another sterling display from goalkeeperAlan Marriott – back in for Jason White after serving his three-game suspension – that was key to the win.

Two superb goals from Scott Garner and Aaron O'Connor helped as well.

For Stevenage, their defeat was not costly as Kidderminster failed to beat Kettering and so the Hertfordshire side still reached the play-offs.

But Mansfield did not care a jot about that. They were happy to end on a high.

Stevenage threatened first but Marriott got down well to field Michael Bostwick's long range effort.

The Stags were hit with an early blow as skipper Jonathan D'Laryea left the field clutching his mouth and had to be replaced by Curtis Shaw.

Borough knocked the ball about confidently and Ronny Henry was not too far off with a drive over the top.

Daryl Clare's perceptiveness looked to have given Rob Duffy a clear shot at goal but Scott Laird made a superb last-ditch tackle.

At the other end, Scott Gardner defended just as well as he raced across to the left to halt Lee Boylan's progress with Andy Drury wide open in the middle.

There was another setback for the hosts when Duffy became the second player unable to continue after receiving treatment and made way for O'Connor.

Clare reacted angrily as Michael Bostwick slid straight through the back of him and the Stevenage midfielder was duly booked.

The Stags were handed a boost in first half stoppage time as Stevenage were reduced to 10 men.

Frustrated that he had been muscled out of it by Scott Garner, Mitchell Cole kicked out at the Stags defender, leaving the referee little choice but to show the red card.

Early in the second period, Steve Morison put Adam Drury away on the right-hand side of the box but Marriott charged off his line to save.

Morison again showed why he is one of the most feared strikers at this level when he turned past Adie Moses before drilling over the top.

Bostwick then had a clear sight of goal but Marriott was once again equal to the task.

There was controversy in the 64th minute when Mansfield were denied the opening goal.

On the advice of his assistant, the referee disallowed Ryan Williams' close-range strike for handball as he brought down Gary Silk's cross before rolling home from eight yards.

Player-of-the-year Silk then showed why he won that accolade as he blocked Drury's goalbound shot.

Garner was relieved in the 68th minute as he was only cautioned after bringing down Darren Murphy right on the edge of the box. Drury went for goal from the free-kick but Marriott was behind his shot.

The Stags were in front three minutes later. As the ball dropped invitingly for Garner, he unleashed a goal-of-the-season contender from 25 yards that flew into the top left-hand corner.

Stevenage came roaring back and Marriott once again showed his brilliance with a top-class double save.

First he denied Drury and then picked himself up to block Morison's follow-up before Lee Boylan belted a third shot over.

But the Stags keeper could do nothing with seven minutes to go as Scott Laird powered into the right-hand corner from just inside the box.

However, there was another twist to come as just two minutes of normal time remained when the home side went back in front.

O'Connor picked up a lay-off from Arnold and curled a terrific shot from 15 yards into the right-hand corner.

Nevertheless, sometime in the next few days, a plethora of this season's squad are likely to be shown the door and new faces drafted in to replace them.