Stags Crash Out Of The EFL Trophy As Burton Albion Earn 2-1 Victory To Ensure Progression

Mansfield Town were knocked out of the third and final domestic competition as Burton Albion ran out 2-1 victors at the Pirelli Stadium to ensure their progression into the knockout stages of the competition.

George Cooper opened the scoring for the Stags as he fired the ball in following George Maris’ free-kick.

However, two goals either side of half-time from Cole Stockton and Tom Hamer saw the Brewers claim a valuable victory that saw them move into the next round of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Burton Albion boss Dino Maamria named Jamal Blackman in goal with a backline of Jake Caprice, Tom Hamer, ex-Stags defender Ryan Sweeney and Steve Seddon. Maamria went for a midfield five with Mason Bennett and Beryly Lubala out wide and Deji Oshilaja, Joe Powell and Mark Helm in the middle with Cole Stockton the lone striker up top.

Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough made some valuable changes ahead of a return to league action at the weekend with number two goalkeeper Scott Flinders getting a run out. Callum Johnson, George Williams, George Cooper and Calum Macdonald were in defence.

There was a welcome return for Stephen Quinn as he started alongside Hiram Boateng and George Maris in midfield with Lucas Akins, Will Swan and James Gale up front.

The first chance of the game fell to ex-Stags but now Burton Albion defender Ryan Sweeney, however, his header went over the bar.

The Brewers continued on the front foot as Mason Bennett cut the ball back for Joe Powell who curled his effort wide of the target.

Following Powell’s deep corner, Sweeney’s header was cleared to the edge of the area as Steve Seddon fired a shot goalwards. The ball ricocheted into the air with Deji Oshilaja attacking it but his header hit the bar and went over.

In the Stags’ first chance of the first half, Will Swan broke through and dinked the ball over Brewers goalkeeper Jamal Blackman but Sweeney got back to prevent the ball from going in.

Six minutes later, Mansfield Town took the lead as George Maris’ free-kick fell to George Cooper who slotted home to put the Stags 1-0 up.

Callum Johnson looked to cause danger down the wing as he delivered a cross into the box but Swan headed the ball over.

In the 34th minute, Cole Stockton equalised for Burton as Bennett’s slide tackle saw the ball fly to the unmarked Stockton who went through on goal and slotted the ball past Scott Flinders.

Flinders came to the rescue twice in the space of a couple of seconds as he had to make a double save to deny Powell and Mark Helm from close range.

Early in the second half, Burton took the lead as Powell’s corner was nodded down by Sweeney and Tom Hamer smashed the ball home.

The Stags looked to find the leveller as Stephen Quinn’s found James Gale but the forward’s header was gathered by Blackman.

Lucas Akins held the ball well and found Aaron Lewis on the edge of the box, but once again, it was a routine save for the Brewers goalkeeper.

Stockton went in search of his second as he showed great strength and broke down the left. The forward played the ball to Helm but the midfielder’s pass allowed the Stags defence to re-group with Stockton seeing his shot blocked in the end.

Jordan Bowery looked to try and get the Stags level but his attempted half-volley went wide of the target.

Stockton did well to spin his man and fire a shot, however, he also failed to hit the target with his latest attempt.

Unfortunately, the Stags failed to find a leveller as Burton Albion ran out 2-1 victors and progressed to the next round of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

The loss saw Mansfield Town knocked out of all three domestic competitions with promotion to League One the sole priority for the rest of the season.

Both sides are back in league action this weekend as Burton face the trip to Peterborough United whilst the Stags face Swindon Town away from home.

Burton Albion’s XI: Blackman, Caprice, Hamer, Sweeney, Seddon, Bennett (Walker 64′), Oshilaja (Harper 65′), Powell, Helm, Lubala, Stockton

Mansfield Town’s XI: Flinders, Johnson (Cargill 46′), Williams, Cooper, Macdonald, Maris (Lewis 46′), Boateng, Quinn (Flint 62′), Akins, Swan (Bowery 46′), Gale (O’Toole 74′)

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