Indeed, it was confident United who dominated proceedings from start to finish, but despite a series of attacks, especially in the second half, the Shrimpers just could not find a finishing touch. Southend's miserable afternoon was compounded when the Stags winning goal arrived from a highly controversial twelfth minute penalty.
The home side had already enjoyed an early chance when Neil Mackenzie fired a free kick wide of the post before the moment of madness from referee Eddie Evans arrived. An overhot through ball by MNackenzie saw Darryl Flahavan push the ball wide of the post for a corner, but Stags frontman Iyseden Christie, who netted a hat-trick at Roots Hall in August, rushed in and flung himself over the top of the Blues custodian, incredibly Evans immediately pointed to the spot. Needless to say United players and fans alike were furious but winger Wayne Corden cofidently tucked away the resulting spot kick despite Flahavan diving the right way.
After that, despite very few clear cut chances, it was ll one-way traffic as Southend charged forward whilst Mansfield seemed happy enough to simply sit back on their single goal lead.
Mark Gower saw ex-Manchester United shot-stopper Kevin Pilkington tip a shot over the crossbar and the same player brilliantly robbed Jake Buxton of the ball before crossing to the far post where Leon Constantine stabbed a shot over the top.
United started brightly after the interval, and just three minutes into the half Steven Clark did very well to beat Tony Vaughan before cuttimg inside and delivering a superb cross to the back post where Drewe Broughton somehow headed wide of the post from close range.
Town's only chance of the second half, on 65 minutes, saw Christie turn and fire a shot wide of the upright following a Mendes cross before, back at the opposite end of the pitch, a Gower cross saw Constantine's fierce drive blocked before the ball looped up perfectly for Clark but the Blues winger scuffed his attempted volley woefully off target.
The chance chance just just the 70 minutes mark, and despite their best efforts, the Shrimpers could only muster one more decent chance, and that came in injury time when substutute Mark Bentley drove a low shot just wide of the post.
Southend's efforts at Field Mill could not be faulted, but for all their possession Steve Tilson's side really should have created a lot more than they did, and the few chances that where there should probably have been finished off. There is no doubt however that goalscoring has been United's main frailty this season with just 23 League goals in 26 games. Let's just hope that the Shrimpers can find a solution to their problems sooner rather than later.
Mansfield Town | 1-0 (Attendance: 4,292) | Southend United |
Wayne Corden 12 (pen) | Referee: Eddie Evans Match Time: 96:14 1st half: 46:30, 2nd half: 49:44 |
Kevin Pilkington Jake Buxton Tony Vaughan Rhys Day Luke Dimech Neil McKenzie Alex John-Baptiste Craig Disley Wayne Corden Iyseden Christie -- Junior Mendes | 7 6 5(75) 6 6 6 6 6(80) 7 5 7 | Darryl Flahavan Jay Smith Mark Gower Leon Constantine Drewe Broughton | 7 7 7(83) 7 6(90) 8 6 5 7 |
Jason White Colin Larkin Andy White David Artell Thomas Curle | - -(80) - 6(75) - | Carl Emberson Che Wilson Neil Jenkins Mark Bentley | - - - -(83) -(90) |
9 3 5 1 0 11 3 2 | Total Goal Attempts Shots/headers On Target Shots/headers Off Target Blocked Shots Hit Woodwork Corners Caught Offside | 10 1 6 3 0 16 4 5 |
TLG Man Of The Match – Mark Warren |
This was an impressive defensive performance from the Shrimpers and other than a ridiculous penalty that they could do nothing about the Shrimpers rearguard, with Warren inspiring the lot, was commanding all afternoon. |
Match Stats |
NATIONWIDE LEAGUE DIVISION THREE - Saturday, 24th January 2004.
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