Mansfield pay price for three players in sin-bin
The blue-and-whites still managed to salvage two bonus points, but the concession of numerous penalties and the loss of three players to the sin-bin at various stages gave them an impossible mountain to climb against a side below them in the National League, Midlands 3 East (North) division table.
“We’ll take the two points after what was a tough, competitive game,” sighed head coach Wayne Robinson. “At times, our defence was exceptional.”
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Hide AdIt started well for Mansfield as Phil Pogmore added to his impressive tally of tries this season and then a penalty and a drop-goal by John Ross Ward helped them to a lead of 11-6.
After the first sin-bin decision, Buxton capitalised with a mesmeric try and although Mansfield responded to lead 16-13 by the break, thanks to a score by the quick-thinking Steve Repton, two more men were dismissed during the second half when Buxton made intelligent use of the extra body with four more tries.
The blue-and-whites kept battling away, and added two tries of their own, through veteran hooker and ex-skipper Lee Kirk and also Joe Ducker.