MATCH REPORT: Hoban on target as Stags draw at Crewe

Mansfield Town's Danny Rose jumps high to head the ball - Pic by Chris Holloway

Chris Dagnall kept Crewe’s unbeaten home start to the season going by cancelling out Hoban’s header as the Stags’ agonising wait for victory extended to seven games.

After ending a painstaking 482-minute wait for a goal on Tuesday night, Mansfield chief Adam Murray named an unchanged side for the first time this season at Alexandra Stadium.

The game started slowly as both sides began tentatively before a shaky moment in the Crewe goal for Ben Garratt.

Mansfield Town's Rhys Bennet battles with the Crewe defence - Pic by Chris Holloway

The hosts’ shot-stopper could only punch as far as Kevan Hurst, after coming miles off his line, with the Mansfield midfielder only able to blaze over the bar.

Down the other end Malvind Benning almost diverted Ryan Lowe’s drilled cross into his own net.

The visiting Stags were unlucky not to go into the break with a well-deserved lead after having the best of the chances.

Danny Rose could only direct his diving header wide after Hoban knocked down a Benning free-kick with Stags’ stopper Scott Shearer superbly tipping Lowe’s effort wide moments later.

Mansfield Town's Danny Rose attempts to make the pass - Pic by Chris Holloway

Murray’s men almost took the lead in fortunate fashion just before the break with Hurst’s long-ball, intended for Krystian Pearce, missing everyone before sliding marginally past the post.

Six minutes after the break and Hoban handed the visitors the lead with his first goal of the season.

The Irish striker rose highest to head home Benning’s cross at the far post.

The lead did not last long however, as Dagnall restored parity just five minutes later.

Zoumana Bakayogo breezed past Rhys Bennett, with Dagnall on hand to fire his drilled cross into the roof of the net from close range.

Both sides pushed hard to steal the spoils late on but neither could find a clear-cut chance.

CREWE: Garratt, Guthrie, Turton, Davis (Ray 68), Bakayogo, Jones, Hollands, Cooper, Ainley (Udoh 64), Lowe, Dagnall. Subs not used: Richards, Ng, Bingham, Wintle, Kirk.

STAGS: Shearer, Benning, Pearce, Collins (C), Bennett, McGuire, Clements, M. Rose (Iacovitti 77), Hurst, D. Rose (Gobern 68), Hoban (Green 84). Subs not used: Jensen, Hemmings, Henderson, Hamilton.

REFEREE: Ross Joyce of Cleveland.

ATTEDANCE: 3,831 (449 away).