MEMORY MATCH: Mansfield Town get one foot in the final after play-off win in the Northampton Town heat

Northampton have only won three of the sides’ last 11 meetings with Stags unbeaten in the last four, drawing three of them and drubbing Northampton 4-0 at home last season.Of their 75 all-time meetings, Mansfield have won 36 of them with 24 Northampton victories and 15 games drawn.Back in November 1938 Stags pulled off a thrilling 4-3 win at the old County Ground.But their greatest performance at Sixfields came when they reeled off a 2-0 victory there in the play-off semi-finals back on Sunday, 16th May 2004.Mansfield had already won there 3-0 earlier in the regular season although ironically lost 2-1 at home to the Cobblers in the final game of the season in the home return, just eight days ahead of their semi-final first leg.A noisy away following of 1,250 Mansfield supporters made their way down to bask in the Sixfields sunshine and get behind their team, against a Cobblers side managed by Keith Curle who, of course, will be in the opposite dug-out this weekend.The home side began on the front foot and asked questions of the visitors in high temperatures with soon-to-be Stag Derek Asamoah a particular threat.After Wayne Corden failed to tuck away a one on one, keeper Kevin Pilkington pulled off the first of a string of superb saves on 20 minutes when he denied Richards.Richards then whipped an overhead effort just wide before turning well to scuff a finish straight at a grateful Pilkington and Stags’ goal led a charmed life for a while before they grabbed a 40th minute lead against the run of play.Liam Lawrence hoisted in a long free kick which Rhys Day headed into the net.Junior Mendes should have doubled that lead just after half-time but lobbed over with the home keeper at his mercy.Pilkington somehow kept out a free header by Ullathorne as Northampton plugged away.Keeper Harper denied Mendes with a good save to concede a corner on 67 minutes from which came the crucial second goal.A Lawrence corner was cleared as far as Curtis. His shot was saved by Harper but Mendes was on hand to tuck away the loose ball in front of the delighted Mansfield fans.Westwood was sent off in added time for bringing down Colin Larkin to rub salt in home wounds.Stags then made hard work of the home leg, losing 3-1 but winning on penalties.