[BFC SITE] Reds suffer late defeat at Mansfield Town

Fixtures

• Mansfield Town Vs. Barnsley - Sat, Mar 15 2025, 15:00

It was late heartbreak for Barnsley at the One Call Stadium, as Deji Oshilaja’s stoppage-time strike consigned the Reds to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Mansfield Town.

The Reds made a bright start and carved out a huge opportunity inside the opening five minutes. Davis Keillor-Dunn’s drilled pass found Stephen Humphrys in space. The striker attempted to slide the ball beyond Christy Pym, but the Stags’ stopper was equal to the effort, keeping the scores level.

Despite the positive opening, Barnsley found themselves behind on 11 minutes. A cross from the left-hand side fell to Mansfield's Caylan Vickers in the box, who managed to squeeze his effort past Jackson Smith at the near post.

Moments later, there was concern for the Reds as goalkeeper Jackson Smith required treatment following the goal. Unfortunately, he was unable to continue and was replaced by league debutant Kieren Flavell on 14 minutes.

Flavell was called into action not long after, producing a smart stop to deny Mansfield’s Lucas Akins from distance. The young keeper then showed good composure again on 38 minutes, smothering the ball bravely at the feet of Hiram Boateng as he looked to pounce.

Barnsley pushed for a leveller before the break, with Humphrys stinging Pym’s palms at the near post on 44 minutes. From the resulting corner, Maël de Gevigney rose highest but sent his header just wide of the mark. Five additional minutes were played at the end of the first half, but the Reds went into the interval a goal down.

Half-time: Mansfield Town 1-0 Barnsley

The second half saw a double change for Barnsley, with Max Watters and Connor Barratt introduced for Marc Roberts and Stephen Humphrys.

And the impact was immediate. On 54 minutes, a well-worked move began with Phillips, who found Watters. The forward played it inside to Keillor-Dunn, who then slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Josh Benson. The midfielder made no mistake, rifling a powerful strike into the roof of the net to bring the Reds level.

As the game wore on, Barnsley continued to battle, with Benson replaced by Neil Farrugia on 82 minutes as the visitors searched for a winner.

However, the Reds were undone at the death. In the final minute of normal time, a high ball into the box wasn't dealt with, and Oshilaja pounced inside the area to fire past Flavell, restoring Mansfield’s lead.

In stoppage time, Jon Lewis replaced Jon Russell, but there was to be no late comeback, and Barnsley were left to reflect on a frustrating defeat on the road.

Full-time: Mansfield Town 2-1 Barnsley

Barnsley: Smith (Flavell 14’), Russell (Lewis 92’), Roberts (Barratt 46’), de Gevigney, O’Keeffe, Phillips, Benson (Farrugia 82’), McCarthy, Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys (Watters 46’), Connell (c).

Subs not used: Lembikisa, Nwakali.

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