AFC Mansfield succumbed to a 1st half penalty defeat for the 2nd successive game. A clumsy challenge by Ellis Wall saw Tom Waudby put the Lincolnshire side ahead in the 27th minute and despite a concerted assault on the Barton goal in the 2nd half The Bulls could not break down a resolute Barton back line.
AFC Mansfield had their 1st real chance on 5 minutes, a Jason White punt down field was not dealt with by the Barton defence and the ball fell to George Milner. Milner took a touch and then fired past Rick Watson only to see his low drive drift inches wide of the far post.
Barton were looking up for the game and put AFC Mansfield on the back foot for much of the 1st half. Jamie Yates saw his free kick clear the crossbar by a foot on 25 minutes.
The visitors then went in front with the penalty and as it turned out the winning goal.
The home side went in search of an equaliser and both Milner and Jimmy Ghaichem had efforts blocked in the 6-yard box on the half hour mark.
Luke Salas had the chance to increase Barton’s lead just before the break. Getting behind the AFC defence he shot rather tamely at White.
A gilt-edged chance for Yates at the start of the 2nd half but he sliced his effort wide from the edge of the box.
A real let off for AFC Mansfield on 51 minutes when Salas hits the underside of the bar froma tight angle and the ball is scrambled away.
Action at the other end as Rick Watson turns Matty Plummer’s goal bound header around the post. From the resulting corner, Plummer heads over the bar.
Milner’s mazey run into the box was halted when he was upended with a clumsy lunge and a penalty was given. Up stepped Ollie Fearon who sent Watson the wrong way only to see his spot kick crash against the post and then hooked away to safety. It is at this point that AFC Mansfield had an idea that it just wasn’t going to be their day.
Two AFC substitutes linked up well on 69 minutes, Lynton Karkach racing into the box and delivering a cross to the back post where Phil Buxton should have done better when he looped a header inches over the bar.
Another good save from Watson to deny Fearon, turning his shot around the post. Barton continued to defend like the Alamo, on 75 minutes anther surging run from Karkach into then box saw his effort saved by the legs of Watson before a defender scrambled the ball behind for a corner.
Another superb free kick from Yates finds the head of Plummer, but again the ball clears the bar. Barton then had a break and James Nichols just had White to beat but sliced his edge of the box effort 10 yards wide of the target.
Nichols went closer on 85 minutes when White was forced to save with his feet after the substitute had gotten in behind the Mansfield defence.
And that as they say was that, AFC Mansfield will rue the lethargic 1st half performance as well as the inability to convert one of their numerous chances in the 2nd half. For Barton 3 vital points in their battle to beat the drop with a workman like performance that was full of heart and determination.
AFC Mansfield: White, Plummer, Annable, Allott, Cheeseman (Dudley 45), D’Laryea (Buxton 61), Wall (Karkach 67), Yates, Fearon, Milner, Ghaichem (C). Subs not used: Timons & Paling.
Barton Town OB: Watson, Andrew, Ward, Williamson, Shiletto, Rogerson, Waudby T (Bruce 80), Fairhurst (C), Salas (Nichols 61(, Handley, Waudby W. Subs not used: Carling, O’Callaghan & Foot.
Referee: Mr Mark Tinsley (Plumtree)
Assistants: Mr Jacob Shapiro (Manchester) & Mr Mike McGill (Beeston)
Attendance: 89
MoM: Jamie Yates