MEMORY MATCH: Struggling Stags held by Rovers in FA Cup

With the club in the doldrums under the ownership of Keith Haslam, the Stags had just endured a miserable November, having lost four times without scoring, the only highlights a 1-0 FA Cup first round win over Accrington.

It was a far cry from the club’s current healthy situation with a winter of protests from angry Stags fans and a change of manager again imminent.

Peter Shirtliff, who had taken over the reins from Carlton Palmer in September 2005, was just four games away from the sack, which came after defeat at Barnet on December 16th after two wins in 10 games.

Against Doncaster a Ritchie Barker penalty kick had Mansfield ahead by the break – his sixth spot kick success of the season - and he came close to a second goal after the break.

But, just as it looked as if that would be enough, Rovers’ midfielder Brain Stocks saw a 20-yard effort deflect past a helpless Carl Muggleton in stoppage time to book a replay that Rovers won 2-0 and proved to be Shirtliffe’s penultimate game.

Stags’ defence that day comprised Jake Buxton, Jon Olav Hjelde, Alex John-Baptiste and Gareth Jelleymen with a midfield of Matty Hamshaw, Gareth Coke, Jon D’Laryea and Simon Brown.

Up front Barker was partnered by Micky Boulding with Danny Reet the only sub used.

Billy Dearden eventually came back into the club to try to save them from relega