AFC Mansfield proud of players after FA Cup shock at Cleethorpes Town

Lynton Karkach headed home after five minutes before the Bulls clung on against the fancied Northern Premier League outfit.

It is the fifth year in a row that AFC Mansfield have progressed to the FA Cup first qualifying round.

“We came with a game plan and it didn’t look pretty,” said Chatfield. “It was smash and grab but it doesn't matter when we are through to the next round.

“We defended brilliantly for 90 mins and they could not break us down, Every one of them did a job and I couldn’t be more proud.

“Cup games are different to league games, we don't play like that normally. The game plan worked well, but we’re not reading too much into it in terms of the league.

“It is nice to be in the competition still and to keep the momentum going.”

The Bulls took an early lead when Jordan Annable flicked the ball on from a corner into the path of Karkach.

Two minutes later the home side thought they had equalised when Paul Walker rattled the inside of the right-hand post and saw the ball bounce across the line before being hooked away to safety.

Karkach was involved in The Bulls next move when he went past 2 players on the right flank. His through ball found Luke Walker and the striker forced a great save out of Richardson.

Morgan James fired wide on 15 minutes as the visitors looked to increase their lead.

There was danger on 20 minutes as Ross Hannah broke into the box but fired high from 15 yards. Another chance for the home side on 26 minutes when a curling free kick was met by Michael Jacklin but Hugo Warhurst was quickly down to smother the ball.

This pattern of play continued with Cleethorpes desperately looking for an equaliser.

Two minutes before the break Scott Vernon was upended just outside the box, although many thought it was inside. Jon Oglesby curled the ball around the wall and seemingly into the top corner. Warhurst had other ideas and a superb one handed save turned the ball behind for a corner.

Hannah and at the other end Karkach both had chances before the half-time whistle, both dealt with by the respective keepers.

The tit for tat continued into the second half, Caine Winnfarrah stuttering in front of goal and James firing his effort wide at the other end.

Cleethorpes began to pile on the pressure and on 69 minutes two great efforts were denied by a block on the line by Annable and another save by Warhurst as the ball bobbled around the Mansfield box.

The Bulls were still a danger on the break and a forceful run by Matt Sykes saw his 25-yard effort well held by Richardson. Ross Duggan had his 1st chance on goal after coming on. Turning his marker inside out he produced a stinging drive that went narrowly past the far post.

Warhurst again in action to deny Walker’s low driven effort as Cleethorpes looked for a way back into the game. Bateson pulled his shot wide, Jacklin headed wide from just 3 yards and as the final whistle drew close substitute Oli Donald had time and space in the box but pulled his effort wide of the mark.

Cleethorpes Town: T Richardson, Topliss, Walker, Jacklin (Donald 85), Winfarrah, Bateson, Dickens (Middleton 60), Marshall, Oglesby, Vernon, Hannah (Boocock 74). Subs not used: H Richardson & Boswell.

AFC Mansfield: Warhurst, Marsden, Algar, Harrison, Annable, Wilde, Karkach, Buxton (c), Walker (Slone 84), James (Duggan 64), Sykes. Subs not used: McMillan & Stancliffe

Att: 238

MoM: Hugo Warhurst.