Mansfield Town 3 Notts. County 1

Last updated : 18 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Mansfield ended a run of three league games without a win by storming to a 3-1 derby victory against Notts County at Field Mill.

New Stags striker Guy Ipoua, signed on loan from Doncaster Rovers two days earlier was the spark for a dominant performance as Mansfield boss Keith Curle celebrated 100 games at the club in style.

Only a memorable display by young keeper Saul Deeney, back in the team at short notice after Wayne Henderson's recall to Aston Villa, saved County from a real hiding.

After several good saves Deeney made the first of several impressive stops in the 15th-minute to deny Colin Larkin after the striker had raced clear onto Alex Neil's clever pass.

Twice in the 20th minute the keeper did well to hold onto shots from Derek Asamoah as the home side totally dominated.

In the 23rd minute the keeper repeated his heroics, diving full length to tip away Rhys Day's acrobatic scissors kick.

The Stags' pressure eventually paid dividends in the 25th minute with Day flicking in Adam Murray's free-kick from close range.

Ipoua almost doubled the lead five minutes later beating two defenders inside the area before poking wide from 10 yards.

Mansfield keeper Kevin Pilkington was finally called into action 10 minutes before half time, saving bravely at the feet of Glynn Hurst.

In first half injury time Mansfield finally got the second goal their dominance deserved, with full-back Craig Woodman smashing a 30-yard drive into the roof of the net for his first goal for the club.

In the 52nd minute Deeney again came to County's rescue with a flying stop to punch away Asamoah's volley.

A minute later Neil fired over in front of an empty net, but in the 69th minute Mansfield clinched the points when Larkin volleyed in a flick-on by substitute Joe O'Neil.

Deeney kept his best saves for the final stages, turning away Asamoah's 79th minute penalty after Kelvin Wilson had up ended the striker.

Three minutes later the young keeper beat away O'Neil's powerful finish from point blank range and, in injury time, County finally found a consolation through substitute Gavin Gordon who scored from the edge of the area after collecting Hurst's flick.

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