Mansfield Town secure big win over Doncaster Rovers as Jon Russell goal dazzles
Mansfield Town enjoyed a successful Good Friday on the road as they took all three points from close rivals Doncaster Rovers in their lunchtime kick-off.
Stags added a big win to their tally to crack the 50-point mark at the Eco-Power Stadium thanks to goals from Rhys Oates and Jon Russell. The result takes Nigel Clough’s side to 52 points and ever closer to securing their safety in League One this season. Stags are now unbeaten in seven games, with eight left to play before the end of the season.
The first half was a quiet affair for both sides, with neither managing to record a single shot on target. Luke Molyneux, who returned from injury against Stags, looked to cause trouble for the travelling side but he was unable to add to his tally in a frustrating afternoon for Rovers.
Mansfield Town came out after the break looking the better side and it didn’t take long for their pressure to pay off. With the first shot on target of the match, Oates put his side ahead in the 50th minute, much to the frustration of Grant McCann and Doncaster. It was a scrappy goal that Rovers failed to deal with and ended up awarding Stags a big advantage at the first real opportunity of asking. The goal moves Oates into double figures for the season across all competitions.
Mansfield made their lead pay 20 minutes later after a rapid counter-attack ended in Russell doubling the score-line with a wonderful goal. The 25-year-old had scored only twice before bulging the Doncaster net – a brace in Stags’ 2-2 draw against AFC Wimbledon at the end of February.
George Abbott slipped a superb ball through for the on-rushing Russell, who dinked a stunning finish over the top of Thimothée Lo-Tutala in the Rovers net.
Despite an extra seven minutes added on in injury time, Doncaster Rovers failed to register a single shot on target throughout their meeting with Stags. McCann and co will be frustrated with the result, as they are also looking to move beyond the 50-point mark in order to guarantee their League One survival.
Clough’s side will take the well-earned three points into Monday’s clash with Burton Albion at the One Call Stadium.