Swindon were impressive in their draw with Mansfield at Field Mill as they rounded off 2018 unbeaten in three.
The game ended goalless despite Town’s constant pressure, especially in the first half. Richie Wellens set his team up to press and on several occasions their hounding almost paid dividends.
First Half
Every chance Swindon created in a frantic first half was down to pressing from the front – the electric visitors frustrated the home side with their energy and ability to prevent anything but long balls out from the back three.
On 10 minutes, it nearly paid dividend for the first time – Elijah Adebayo won the ball from Krystian Pearce and found Keshi Anderson. Conrad Logan had to be sharp to get down to his right and tip away.
Mansfield’s first real effort on target came through Tyler Walker who fizzed a shot at goal on 18 minutes – Luke Woolfenden got in the way with a sliding block before finding himself in the right place again to deny Mal Benning.
The closest Town came was on 26 minutes, and through a familiar route – Matty Taylor curled a free-kick form 30 yards when most would have crossed. It bent towards the top corner but Logan reacted quickly and tipped onto the crossbar.
Town’s set-piece routines were another thorn in the Stags’ side – Michael Doughty came close with a volley, before nearly teeing up Keshi with another well-worked training ground item.
Mansfield were not without threat, however – Lawrence Vigouroux had to show off his reflexes 10 minutes before the break. Walker shot from 30 yards and the stopper jumped and pawed well to tip over the bar.
Anderson had two bites of the cherry just before the interval – after good pressing again from Adebayo, McCourt found the winger but his first shot was saved before he drilled the second past the post.
Second Half
Both sides came out after the interval and the game seemed to change – less frantic, with Mansfield able to do more with the ball as they looked to go slightly more direct into the front men.
However, the first sniff of goal was 21 minutes into the second half – Walker, again, struck from distance but Vigouroux parried well.
Town’s most dangerous look at goal was denied by Krystian Pearce – with Kaiyne Woolery clean through the Stags defender pulled him back but was inexplicably only given a yellow card by referee Trevor Kettle.
Richards was up next with 16 to play – Kyle Knoyle crossed and Marc Richards cut in front of Pearce but flicked a header just over the bar.
As the game went on though, Town were pegged back more as the home side grew in confidence – still, though, Vigouroux was not called into action too regularly. He had to claw the ball away as he jumped to his left.
The final action of the game saw Sid Nelson chuck himself in front of a goalbound shot – he flew to the right and received a ball to the face for his troubles but ensured Town left Field Mill with a point.
