Everything but the goal! Battling Mansfield Town secure deserved point against promotion-chasing Forest Green Rovers

Mansfield Town made their point yet again - after holding promotion-chasing Forest Green Rovers to a stalemate.

Nigel Clough's side played out their third draw in the space of eight days in an entertaining contest where both sides just lacked that killer touch.

Both keepers more than played their parts in earning their clean sheets while the Stags defence held firm impressively against the side who began the day third in League Two, securing their first clean sheet in seven attempts.

There was disappointment as Mansfield conceded an equaliser in stoppage time against basement boys Grimsby at the weekend. But tonight the side could leave the One Call Arena pitch reflecting on what was can only be described as a very good point against a very good side.

After a sombre minute's silence - remembering those who have lost their lives due to Covid-19 one year since the first national lockdown - the Stags began on the front foot.

Mansfield, bringing a little colour to the occasion by sporting their rainbow-striped charity kit, saw Jamie Reid test Rovers stopper Lewis Thomas with a couple of early strikes.

Forest Green failed to threaten Aidan Stone's goal with a series of wasted free kicks while the Stags were stretching their guests with some crisp, passing football.

One such occasion saw Harry Charsley's effort find the side netting, a similar fate befalling Aaron Collins at the other end minutes later.

As Rovers found their footing, Jamille Matt looked likely to head Rovers ahead but George Maris did enough to put his man off as the effort flew off target.

The second half saw Thomas called upon to make two fine saves.

Maris, who opened his Mansfield account on Saturday, was thwarted by a low dive from the Rovers keeper, who then rose to his feet before denying Reid yet again.

Another fast-paced move ended with Stephen Quinn, back in the side at the expense of Stephen McLaughlin, sweep wide at fill stretch.

Stone pulled off a contender for save of the season to keep the scores level, fingertipping away Matt's powerful header from close range as the ball bounced up awkwardly in front of him.

Town looked to have snuck it at the death as Bowery skipped into space, but his effort was deflected by Thomas and headed off the line as a pack of players jostled in the six yard box.

STAGS XI: Stone, Gordon, Rawson, Perch (C), Benning, Maris, Quinn (McLaughlin 74), Charsley, Law, Reid, Bowery; Subs (not used): Stech, Sweeney, O. Clarke, Wright, Ward, Sinclair.

FOREST GREEN: Thomas, Wilson, Bernard, Stokes, Cargill, Collins, Cadden (Young 88), Allen, Matt, Bailey (Davison 77), Whitehouse; Subs (not used): McGee, Evans, Wagstaff, Godwin-Malife, Richardson.

REF: David Webb.