BULLS BATTLE BACK TO BEAT CLAY CROSS

AFC Mansfield produced a superb second-half turnaround to claim a 3-1 victory over Clay Cross, with three goals in the final 20 minutes securing the points for the Bulls.

The game began in a scrappy fashion, with an early mix-up at the back resulting in Dolan colliding with a Clay Cross player and picking up a yellow card after just five minutes.

AFC Mansfield created their first real opportunity three minutes later. Zach Reynolds found space and fired a low, driven effort towards goal, but his shot whistled narrowly past the post.

The Bulls continued to search for the opener and came agonisingly close on 25 minutes. Charlie Taylor rose to meet a delivery and sent a looping header towards goal, only for the Clay Cross goalkeeper to produce an excellent save and turn the ball behind for a corner.

Clay Cross provided a reminder of their threat five minutes before the interval, striking the post and going desperately close to taking the lead. Neither side could find the breakthrough, however, and the teams went into half-time with the score goalless.

Mansfield started the second half brightly and almost broke the deadlock on 50 minutes. Reynolds delivered a delicious ball into the area for Ryan Ingram, whose header flew just over the crossbar.

Despite that opportunity, it was the visitors who struck first.

Poor defending from the Bulls allowed Clay Cross to capitalise on 52 minutes, and the visitors made no mistake to take a 1-0 lead.

Clay Cross almost doubled their advantage just two minutes later, leaving Mansfield under pressure during a difficult start to the second half.

The Bulls refused to fold, though, and their persistence was finally rewarded on 72 minutes.

Liam Mays found space to get a shot away, his effort taking a deflection before finding the back of the net to draw Mansfield level at 1-1.

The equaliser completely changed the complexion of the contest, and just six minutes later Mansfield completed the turnaround.

Kian Sketchley was the man to put the Bulls ahead on 78 minutes, producing a composed finish at the near post to make it 2-1.

With momentum now firmly behind the hosts, Mansfield continued to push forward rather than simply protect their advantage.

The result was put beyond doubt five minutes from time when Charlie Taylor found the target with a well-aimed, low-driven strike, giving the Bulls a two-goal cushion and completing an impressive second-half comeback.

Having trailed shortly after the restart, AFC Mansfield showed plenty of character to respond with three goals in the final stages and secure a 3-1 victory over Clay Cross.