Salford City well beaten by Mansfield Town

Salford City fell to their first defeat of the Karl Robinson era as they were beaten 5-1 by Mansfield Town on Saturday.

The Ammies travelled to Nottinghamshire on a nine-game unbeaten run, facing a Stags side challenging at the pinnacle of the table and were ultimately overpowered by the home team in the second half.

Only one change was made from Salford’s 5-3 win over Barrow, with Declan John dropping out of the squad. January signing Dan Chesters made his first start for the club, deputising at full-back.

Chances went either way in the opening exchanges of the game, with Junior Luamba looking lively. He headed a ball down to Matt Smith, whose attempt was blocked by a Mansfield defender before it could cause Christy Pym any trouble.

The home side drew first blood in the nineteenth minute, with striker Will Swan heading home a cross from George Williams.

Mansfield kept the pressure on after their opening goal, with Lucas Akins powering his shot high over the bar. Louis Reed was denied by Alex Cairns as Salford were forced to defend.

Their resilience behind the ball paid off, as a quick counter fell to Luamba, who drove down the pitch and beat Pym to score his first goal for the club, levelling the match.

WHAT A GOALLLLL JUNIORRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/mBa3SPFl4m

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) February 24, 2024

A lengthy added time at the end of the half saw Mansfield retake the lead, with Baily Cargill tapping a corner home just two minutes from the break.

Town continued their momentum into the second period, with leading goalscorer Davis Keillor-Dunn getting a third for the hosts just shy of the hour mark.

Matters were made worse as Theo Vassell was sent off, bringing down Akins as the last man and denying a goalscoring opportunity.

And it was the 34-year-old who added the fourth for Mansfield, placing his shot into the bottom corner of the goal.

Hiram Boateng added the finishing touch for Nigel Clough’s side in the 98th minute, sealing their victory and three points that moved them to the top of the League Two table.

Salford remained in 19th, but with many results above them going The Ammies’ way, the damage was not too severe on a disappointing day for Karl Robinson’s side.