MANSFIELD Town's fading play-off hopes took another blow as they were held to a goalless draw against lowly Tamworth today.

They had Gary Mills to thank for ensuring they went in at the break on level terms.

The midfielder somehow blocked Alex Rodman's thunderous shot on 37 minutes, an effort which looked certain to put the visitors ahead at Field Mill.

Mansfield had started brightly but failed to cause Tamworth any real problems and ex-Stag Iyseden Christie also went close, Alan Marriott tipping his low drive onto the post.

Luke Foster and Michael Brough both failed to hit the target with good chances for the Stags in the second half, putting headers wide and over respectively and Kyle Perry wasted a good chance when Rob Duffy put him clear.

STAGS: Marriott, Silk, Nicholas, Brough, Foster, L Briscoe, Nix, Mills, Williams (Burgess, 57), Duffy (Sturrock, 71), J Shaw (Perry, 61). Subs: Collett, Somner

TAMWORTH: Alcock, Lyttle, Tait, Wylde, M Briscoe (Mitchell, 66), Murdock (Lake-Gaskin, 70), Sheridan, Smith, Pritchard, Rodman, Christie. Subs: MacKenzie, Fankem, T Shaw, Lake-Gaskin.

Referee: Mark Heywood (Northwich)

Attendance: 2,954 (93 visitors)