HT Stags 0 York 0

A FIRST half devoid of goalmouth action has seen Mansfield and York draw a blank at Field Mill.

Neither side has looked particularly likely to open the deadlock, with the home crowd growing restless by what they have seen from their team.

After a slow opening, York got in the first shot on target as neat skill from Michael Gash opened up an opportunity for him on the edge of the box but he shot straight at Alan Marriott.

The Blue Square Premier's top scorer, Richard Brodie, didn't need a second invitation to shoot soon after but his drive was well blocked by the retreating Challinor.

Mansfield won the game's first corner in the 17th minute but keeper Michael Ingham came off his line to collect Andy Burgess' delivery with ease.

The Minstermen responded from a free-kick that saw Gash tee up Brodie, whose volley was always flying well over.

Marriott made sure with a Brodie snapshot, but in doing so carried the ball out for a corner before confidently claimed the resulting ball in.

Just before the half hour, brilliant play from Louis Briscoe, in tandem with Blair Sturrock, saw him reach the right byline but no Stags player was on hand to turn the ball in as he fired across the six-yard box.

Mansfield were guilty of failing to support their attacks in significant numbers and any sights they had of goal were fleeting.

York continued to have the better of the openings and Ben Purkiss might have done better when he shot into the side-netting after cutting into the area and nutmegging Andy Nicholas.

Next to try his luck for the visitors was Neil Barrett, who fired wide of the right-hand post from 20 yards after picking up a first-time Brodie lay-off.

But neither team could threaten in the lead up to the break, leading to a mixed response from the home crowd, some clapping their side off and others booing.

Mansfield: Marriott, Silk, Foster, Brough, Nicholas, Challinor, Mills, Burgess, Briscoe, Duffy, Sturrock. Subs: Collett, Somner, Speight, Perry, Nix.

York: Ingham, Purkiss, Graham, Meredith, Clarke, Barrett, Harsley, Sangare, Pitt, Brodie, Gash. Subs: McGurk, Parslow, Smith, Pacquette, Rankine.

Referee: Stephen Martin (Stafford).