McLaughlin goal sends Stags to Wembley

Mansfield Town's Stephen McLaughlin was the difference at Sixfields Stadium as the Stags won their play-off semi-final 3-1 on aggregate.

Nigel Clough made three changes from the team that won 2-1 in the first leg with Elliott Hewitt, Kieran Wallace, and Lucas Akins all taking places in the starting XI. Meanwhile, Liam Roberts returned in goal for Northampton after he served his ban.

It was a surprisingly slow start at the Sixfields Stadium, with the Cobblers not showing the expected urgency for a team already trailing from the off.

Instead, it was the Stags who took the lead when Stephen McLaughlin got on to the end of Elliot Hewitt’s low ball to put Mansfield 3-1 up on aggregate with just an hour left to play. 

Only then did Jon Brady’s team wake up and wanted a penalty just before halftime for John-Joe O’Toole being all over Fraser Horsfall but referee Robert Madley wasn’t interested.

Northampton Town improved after the break but found it difficult to break a resilient Mansfield defence down.

The Stags' firm defence helped them book a ticket to Wembley on Saturday when they face the winner of Port Vale and Swindon Town that will be played on Thursday. 

⏱️ FT: @mansfieldtownfc are going to Wembley!#EFLPlayOffs | #StepUp pic.twitter.com/rjMdoshcA7

— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) May 18, 2022