Match Report | Retford United

AFC Mansfield secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Retford United in the FA Cup, with the Bulls doing enough to edge a closely contested game.

The game began slowly, with neither side able to take control during the opening stages. Jake Batty picked up the first booking of the afternoon inside the opening 10 minutes.

Mansfield looked to create opportunities from wide areas during the early stages. Zach Reynolds was particularly involved down the right-hand side, delivering a couple of early crosses into the Retford penalty area, although neither resulted in a clear opportunity.

Retford began to pose a threat of their own and called Turton into action in the 18th minute. The effort was directed straight at the Mansfield goalkeeper, however, allowing him to make a comfortable save.

Five minutes later, the Bulls created a good opportunity to open the scoring. Charlie Taylor rose to meet the ball in the area but was unable to keep his header down as his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Mansfield eventually found the breakthrough, although there was an element of fortune involved in the build-up. Max Taylor's shot took a deflection which sent the ball looping up invitingly, and Ingram reacted well to meet it with his head and find the back of the net.

There was concern for the hosts late in t

he game when Max Taylor was forced off through injury in the 82nd minute, bringing his afternoon to a premature end.

The Bulls held firm during the closing stages to protect their slender advantage and secure

a hard-fought 1-0 FA Cup victory.