Mansfield Town

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Moses Ashikodi

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Mansfield 1-1 Kettering

Moses Ashikodi struck a late goal for Kettering Town to deny Mansfield all three points at Field Mill on Tuesday night.

Debutant Kevin Sandwith had given the Stags the lead as early as the 19th minute but David Holdsworth's men eventually succumbed to Ashikodi's strike four minutes from the final whistle.

But in the opening exchanges it was the Poppies who made the early running and they came close to forging a chance when Greg Taylor hit a low cross into the area aimed at Paul Furlong, who was ultimately unable to direct an attempt at goal.

At the other end of the pitch, Luke Medley failed to capitalise on Chris Smith's pass when he misplaced his shot which flew wide of the upright.

In the 19th minute, however, the home side won a free-kick 25 yards from goal when Paul Connor drew a foul.

At the ensuing set-piece Sandwith curled his effort perfectly and it beat the wall and flew beyond Town's goalkeeper Nathan Abbey to hand Mansfield the lead.

The visitors' reaction to the setback was immediate but Alan Marriott wasn't tested by Greg Taylor's effort from distance.

After the interval Sandwith had another chance from a dead-ball situation, although this time he failed to keep his free-kick down before Abbey saved Keigan Parker's goal-bound shot.

And Holdsworth's men were punished for failing to extend their lead when, in the 86th minute, John Dempster crossed for Ashikodi who hammered the ball past Marriott to make the score 1-1.

Mansfield bookings: Briscoe, Medley, Mills.

Kettering bookings: Westwood, Dempster, Graham.

Att: 2,089.

Ref: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire).