10-man Bulls battle to hold on to away point

Neither Bridlington Town or AFC Mansfield could land a knockout blow as two of this season's Northern Counties East League Premier Division heavyweights battled out a 1-1 draw at Queensgate.
Captain Matt Wilson led by example with a fine defensive display as AFC Mansfield drew 1-1 at Bridlington Town.Captain Matt Wilson led by example with a fine defensive display as AFC Mansfield drew 1-1 at Bridlington Town.
Captain Matt Wilson led by example with a fine defensive display as AFC Mansfield drew 1-1 at Bridlington Town.

Benn Lewis sliced the ball into his own net from a dangerous cross to give third-placed AFC a 54th-minute lead.

But 13 minutes later Brett Agnew scored off his shoulder after the visitors’ Ollie Fearon had been dismissed for his second yellow card.

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Bulls captain Matt Wilson, who won everything, then marshalled his defence superbly to ensure a point.

A good run by Cameron Dear on 25 minutes saw him cut inside and feed Phil Buxton, whose effort was blocked inside the box.

The Bulls were again denied when Wilson flicked the ball on to Buxton, whose shot was blocked.

Both keepers saved well either side of half-time before the visitors went in front on 54 minutes.

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A low cross from Liam Marsden caused havoc in the box and Lewis sliced his clearance into his own net.

Home keeper Hitchcock raced out of his goal to save at the feet of Dear on 62 minutes.

But the game took a wrong turn for AFC Mansfield on 66 minutes when Fearon was dismissed.

From the resulting free kick Bridlington levelled as Agnew headed a cross on to his shoulder and it cannoned in.

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Dear’s overhead kick went over and Buxton saw his curling free kick saved on the line as the Bulls defended well and also threatened a late winner.

The Bulls will now have a week to prepare for their FA Cup game against EvoStik Premier Division side Rushall Olympic at Forest Town Arena.

Bridlington Town: Hitchcock, Lewis, Walters, Griffin, Jenkinson, Norburn, Norfolk (Richardson 60), Taylor, Agnew, Sutton, Adams (Day 60). Subs not used: Knaggs, Nelson, Michelthwaite.

AFC Mansfield: White, Marsden, Dudley (Plummer 77), D’Laryea, Annable (Karkach 83), Wilson (C), Fearon, Buxton, Dear, Ghaichem, Smythe. Subs not used: Cullingworth, Cheeseman & Dixon.

Referee: Mr Drew Dutton (Barnsley)

Assistants: Mr Craig Sperring (Hull) & Mr Andrew Brown (Hull)

Attendance: 164

MoM: Matt Wilson

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