Stevenage miss chance to go top as Mansfield hit back to claim point

Stevenage were denied top spot in the table after being pegged back in a 1-1 draw at Mansfield.

Charlie Goode’s 70th-minute opener looked like it had given the visitors a sixth league win of the season.

But battling Mansfield levelled just three minutes later through Joe Gardner’s composed finish.

Lewis Freestone should have put the visitors ahead in the opening minutes when he blazed over from 12 yards out.

Jamie Reid fired well over from distance on 40 minutes, before a stretching George Maris headed Louis Reed’s cross off target.

Dan Kemp and Harvey White both went close as the visitors started well after the break.

White was inches away from a brilliant opener when he volleyed wide from 20 yards.

Stevenage finally found the breakthrough when Goode headed home White’s corner.

But the lead was gone three minutes later when Gardner kept his cool to finish off a counter-attack.

Mansfield had Liam Roberts to thank for an excellent reaction save to keep out Gassan Ahadme in the closing stages.