Mansfield start 2025 with hard-earned home win over Bolton

Gutsy Mansfield began 2025 with a hard-earned 2-1 home win over a classy Bolton side.

The frustrated visitors completely dominated the second half but found the Stags’ defence watertight.

In an end-to-end first half Mansfield had carved out a 2-0 lead.

Louis Reed had already seen a free-kick saved before Stephen McLaughlin broke through in the 20th minute with a deflected shot from 15 yards after a Jordan Bowery cross was headed towards him.

Lee Gregory doubled the advantage in the 36th minute after out-muscling Ricardo Santos in the box and lifting a finish over a helpless Luke Southwood.

But Christy Pym had already had to save from Aaron Collins and seen a George Thomason shot deflect across goal before he was beaten after 40 minutes.

Thomason zipped over a powerful low cross from the left and Collins met it first time with a pinpoint finish from 10 yards.

Dion Charles somehow fired straight at Pym from four yards after 57 minutes as the visitors went up a gear and pushed Stags deep into their own territory.

Randell Williams was narrowly wide of the far post near the end, but the home side defended magnificently to take the points.