MANSFIELD 0 TAMWORTH 1

REPORT

MANSFIELD Town were knocked off the Blue Square Premier top spot in suffering their first home defeat of the season as Tamworth ran out narrow victors at Field Mill this afternoon.

The visitors went in front in the first half with a strike from Ben Wilkinson that stunned the hosts.

Mansfield threw everything at the Lambs in the second period, but Gary Mills' men defended stoutly to hold on for the points.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Stags boss David Holdsworth in what was the third time in two seasons his side have failed to get the better of Tamworth on home turf.

After a scrappy start to the game, Tamworth were forced into a change after just nine minutes when Daniel Bradley clashed heads with Tyrone Thompson.

The teenage midfielder briefly continued but eventually had to be replaced by Jake Sheridan.

The hosts won the game's first corner soon after and, from it, the ball broke for Steve Foster, who blazed well over the top.

Chris Smith made an important interception for Mansfield after Alex Rodman had beaten two men down the right flank before Kyle Perry was too high with his 20-yard effort.

Mansfield attacked with gusto in the 21st minute but Paul Connor's drive was charged down and Gary Mills well over the top with his follow up.

Midway through the half, Kevin Sandwith swung in a free-kick that Keigan Parker met with his head but Ross Atkins saved with a degree of comfort.

Substitute Sheridan tried his luck for the Lambs as the ball sat up invitingly on the edge of the box, but he failed to test Alan Marriott.

The visitors went in front on the half hour mark after a slick break that caught Mansfield cold.

Danny Thomas beat Louis Briscoe in a foot race down the left and cut the ball back for Ben Wilkinson, whose low shot found the left-hand corner with the aid of a deflection.

As Mansfield looked to hit back quickly, Mills combined well with Parker but the striker's attempted pull-back from the byline, intended for Louis Briscoe, was cut out.

The Stags were unfortunate not to equalise as half-time approach when Parker's free-kick from just outside the box clipped the left-hand upright with Ross Atkins rooted to the spot.

In first half stoppage time, Thompson's through pass released Parker who touched the ball past the advancing Atkins but was unable to find an accurate cross from out wide.

Tamworth were indebted to Atkins for keeping them on level terms as the second half resumed when he blocked Louis Briscoe's goalbound shot in a crowded goalmouth.

Both Perry and Chris Smith were lucky to avoid punishment in the 57th minute when they clashed off the ball.

Tamworth broke well soon after and Rodman eventually went for goal only to see his drive rise over the top.

Mansfield made a double switch in the 66th minute, with Tyrone Thompson and Louis Briscoe replaced by Kyle Nix and Luke Medley.

Rodman threatened again when he kept the ball in on the right byline and cut into the box, only to drill wide of goal.

At the other end, Parker picked out Medley in the box but his shot on the turn was straight into the arms of Atkin.

Thomas might have done better when he shot straight at Marriott after his pace had earned him the opportunity.

A burst from Gary Silk saw him feed Parker whose shot was well blocked by an alert Tamworth defence.

Sheridan might have killed off Mansfield as he broke clear, only to drag his shot well wide of the right-hand post.

Perry might have capped a triumphant afternoon when he had two glorious chances late on, but failed to take either.

First he headed wide when totally unmarked from a free-kick and then he hammered wide of the right-hand post when one-on-one with Marriott.

In the dying seconds, Mansfield's Medley crossed for Duffy whose header was pushed away by Atkin under pressure from Connor.

Mansfield: Marriott, Silk, C. Smith, Foster, Sandwith, Briscoe, Mills, Thompson, A. Smith, Parker, Connor. Subs: Collett, Nix, Naylor, Duffy, Medley.

Tamworth: Atkins, Tait, Marshall, Wylde, Barrow, J. Smith, Bradley, Wilkinson, Rodman, Perry, Thomas. Subs: Mitchell, MacKenzie, Lake-Gaskin, Sheridan, Lyttle.

Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland).