Super-sub Lynton wins it for Bulls

The result means it’s now two wins out of two for the Bulls at the start of the new season and they sit second in the early standings.

Harrogate had come down from the Evo-Stik League and are looking to go straight back up, meaning this would be a useful yardstick as to how the Bulls might fare this season.

There was some tentative approach play from both sides in the opening 15 minutes with the first real chance coming when George Mason headed well over the bar for the hosts.

Chris Ovington tested Jason White on 19 minutes, the AFC keeper getting his fingertips to the striker’s low drive to turn it past the post.

Five minutes later AFC Mansfield looked to have taken the lead when Ollie Fearon’s effort was turned onto the post by keeper Jake Lofthouse. Gary Bradshaw was quickest to react, moving forward to head the ball home, but he was adjudged to be offside.

White was in action before the break denying Charlie Clamp after a breakaway left the keeper exposed, before a Mansfield penalty appeal was turned down after a hefty challenge from Alex Low on Bradshaw.

The second-half started with The Bulls pushing on looking for a goal. Bradshaw and Low tussled again on 57 minutes and eventually Low pulled Bradshaw down and the referee pointed to the spot.

However, Lofthouse guessed the right way, diving low to his left to turn Bradshaw’s kick around the post.

A minute later the visitors gave away a free-kick 30 yards out. White set up his wall and everything looked fine, but Stephen Bromley had other ideas as he hit a rocket of a shot that flew into the top right hand corner of White’s net.

Manager Rudy Funk made two substitutions, Jon D’Laryea replacing Danny Patterson and Karkach coming on for Fearon and immediately causing problems.

On 63 minutes Karkach broke clear and was unceremoniously brought down in the box. The Bulls reverted to their normal penalty taker, keeper White, and he thumped the ball past Lofthouse who got a hand to the ball, but the sheer power of the kick took it in.

Ovington tried his luck from distance on 80 minutes but White was equal to it. At the other end Bradshaw’s dipping effort went narrowly wide after good approach work from Karkach and Williams.

Just when it looked as if The Bulls would have to settle for a point Jimmy Ghaichem sent Karkach racing clear. Then diminutive striker turned his marker inside and out before drawing Lofthouse and firing a low drive that went in off the far right hand post and the points were won.

AFC Mansfield: White, Plummer, Dudley, Allott, Timons (c), Naylor, Williams, Fearon (Karkach 60), Patterson (D’Laryea 60), Bradshaw, Ghaichem (Mitchell 89). Subs not used: Wilson, Wright.

MOTM: Jason White