AFC Mansfield slip to rare defeat

AFC Mansfield slipped to their first defeat in seven games following a 1-0 defeat at a hardworking Garforth team.

Without influential players Ryan Williams and Gary Bradshaw, AFC Mansfield were forced to shuffle the pack.

Back came Grant Allott into the side after missing the last two games and also a start for Danny Naylor who had also missed Tuesday night’s game.

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Danny Naylor had the first chance of the game after nine minutes with a dipping effort that beat Paul Magreen in the Garforth goal, but also cleared the bar.

The Bulls suffered a blow on 15 minutes when Joe Austin came off with a slight concussion after a clash of heads to be replaced by Mark Dudley.

Lee Tuner fired wide from the edge of the box as the home side threatened and at the other end Grant Allott headed wide with just the keeper to beat on 25 minutes.

Garforth went in front on 28 minutes, when Mitch Hamilton got to the line and drove in a low cross to the far post which Jack McMurrough tapped in from a yard.

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AFC Mansfield came straight back at the home side and Jimmy Ghaichem hit the post with his effort after a lay off from Lynton Karkach.

Hamilton nearly doubled the home side’s lead just before the break when he raced past three defenders and hit a 12 yard effort that Jason White turned around the post.

It wasn’t until around the hour mark that the visitors recorded an effort on goal in the second half when Karkach hesitated giving the defender the time to block his shot.

A minute later and Ollie Fearon raced clear his low drive going inches past the post with Magreen beaten in the Garforth goal.

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A cross from Fearon was headed back across goal and Karkach headed home only to see the flag go up for offside in another disappointing decision from the officials.

The home side adopted an Alamo style of defence for the final 10 minutes with Allott and Fearon going close.

But it wasn’t to be and Garforth gained three hard fought points.

AFC Mansfield: White, Austin (Dudley 15), Plummer, Allott, Timons (C), D’Laryea, Karkach, Patterson, Fearon, Naylor (Annable 70), Ghaichem (Madin 78). Subs not used: Nicholson and Wright.

Referee: Mr Andrew Williams.

Assistants: Mr Matt Cottingham and Mr Leo Howard.

Attendance: 103.

MoM: Jon D’Laryea.

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