Mason’s penalty heroics send Mansfield through

Mansfield Town progressed to the third round of the FA Cup with a penalty shoot-out win at Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

Stags were taken all the way by their League Two opponents, the game being level at 1-1 after 90 minutes and then 2-2 after extra-time, before Stanley saw Mansfield keeper Owen Mason save three of their penalties to help his side prevail on spot kicks.

Owen Mason in action at Accrington. He would be Stags' hero in the shoot-out. Photo: Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

placeholder image — Owen Mason in action at Accrington. He would be Stags' hero in the shoot-out. Photo: Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

Both sides had seen chances spurned before Accrington went in front on 27 minutes, Donald Love’s cross being headed home by Isaac Heath.

Stags got level eight minutes into the second-half, Will Evans getting his head to Nathan Moriah-Welsh’s corner.

Rhys Oates, twice, and Evans both came close to a second, but the game would ultimately go to extra-time.

Paddy Madden then put the hosts in front late in the first period as his shot from inside the penalty area beat Mason in the Stags goal.

But Mansfield levelled once more in stoppage time at the end of the first period, as sub Kyle McAdam – only introduced two minutes earlier – headed home after fellow sub Dom Dwyer’s effort was saved.

That would ultimately be the end of the scoring as neither side could find a winner and spot kicks were required.

And it would be keeper Mason who would then steal the show, as he saved Stanley’s first, third and fourth penalties, which with Lucas Akins, Deji Oshilaja and Louis Reed all converting meant it’s Stags who march on.

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