Matlock Town 2 Mansfield Town 1 - Massiah McDonald hits dramatic winner
MASSIAH McDonald hit a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Matlock Town dumped Mansfield Town out of the FA Trophy at Causeway Lane.
The Gladiators came from behind, Lewis McMahon cancelling out the Stags' opener early in the second half.
The Blue Square Bet Premier side, lambasted by manager Paul Cox for what he called an "arrogant" display when the teams drew 1-1 at Field Mill on Saturday, went in front after 20 minutes when Colin Daniel blasted home a free-kick from 25 yards.
At that stage, the Stags were on top with their direct style but Matlock had their moments and both McMahon and McDonald were unable to convert good chances in the lead-up to the interval.
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Whatever manager Mark Atkins said at half-time certainly did the trick, as the Gladiators came out for the second half on fire.
They needed to score early and did, equalising after 50 minutes.
The goal was created by McDonald's strength and finished by McMahon from six yards.
From there on, the Stags had no answer to the Gladiators' relentless probing as they continued to push them back deeper and deeper.
Matlock twice struck the bar, through an Adam Yates header and a cracking effort from Bradley Grayson.
Mansfield's cause was not helped when midfielder Gary Roberts was sent off in the 77th minute for a foul on McDonald – his second bookable offence.
It began to look as if the tie would go to extra-time – but the biggest drama was still to come for the home fans.
In the first minute of stoppage time, McDonald broke clear to fire confidently past Shane Redmond.
Matlock do not yet know their second-round opponents at Causeway Lane, after Dorchester Town and Luton Town drew 2-2 last night.
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