Club record equalled but Mansfield Town denied second place by equaliser in Barrow finale Mansfield and Ashfield Chad

Promoted Mansfield Town missed out on a League Two runners-up berth after a 1-1 draw at play-off chasing Barrow in the season’s last game at Holker Street this afternoon.

The Stags tied the club record for the most away goals in a league season, with 47, in 1962/63.

George Maris provided the Stags a great start with a goal in the 16th minute, propelling them to their fifth consecutive victory.

However, Barrow, who needed to win to qualify for the EFL play-offs, fought back in vain in an amazing second half.

George Maris scores during the Sky Bet League 2 match against Barrow AFC at the SO Legal Stadium, 27 April 2024Photo credit : Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

On 58 minutes, midfielder Kian Spence levelled, and the Cumbrians appeared to be on course for victory.

However, news spread that Wrexham had beaten champions Stockport, dropping the Stags to third place.

However, efforts to determine a winner were too late, and both sides ran out of time to resolve the fight.

Both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock before Maris scored his 11th goal of the season.

Stags celebrate their first half opener with fans during the Sky Bet League 2 match against Barrow AFC at the SO Legal Stadium, 27 April 2024Photo credit : Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

Tom Nichols lofted a shot over goalie Paul Farman but wide of the target, and Spence blazed over for the hosts a minute later.

But Maris made the breakthrough when Nichols hoisted a wonderful ball over a defender for Maris, who chipped the ball over George Ray before burying a fantastic finish.

Dom Telford, a former League Two Golden Boot winner, scuffed another shot wide for the hosts in an interesting end-of-season match. Christy Pym saved George Ray’s header before the break.

His next stop was more notable, diving to his right to save a free kick from Spence after substitute Ollie Clarke fouled Telford 49 minutes after the break.

Action during the Sky Bet League 2 match against Barrow AFC at the SO Legal Stadium, 27 April 2024Photo credit : Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

However, Pym could do little to prevent a well-deserved home draw.

Sam Foley raided down Town’s left, and Spence met his pulled back cross from 12 yards, scoring inside the left post.

Pym then saved a Ben Whitfield shot as the Cumbrians sought a comeback victory.

Clough responded by removing Maris, Keillor-Dunn, and Stephen Quinn after 66 minutes and replacing them with James Gale, Aaron Lewis, and Callum Johnson.

Action during the Sky Bet League 2 match against Barrow AFC at the SO Legal Stadium, 27 April 2024Photo credit : Chris & Jeanette Holloway / The Bigger Picture.media

Despite a frenzied end-to-end climax, neither team managed to score a second goal.

However, Stags will be pleased to have weathered the second-half onslaught from a strong Barrow team that was anxious to win the game, and they can now look forward to an open-top bus tour of the town tomorrow to celebrate their League One promotion.

BARROW: Farman, Chester, Ray (Foley 49), Canavan, Worrall, Spence, Campbell (Proctor 88), Gotts, Newby, Telford (Whitfield 59), Stockton (Acquah 59); subs: Lillis, Stephenson.

STAGS: Pym, Akins, Flint, Bowery, McLaughlin (MacDonald 88), Boateng (Clarke 46), Reed, Maris (Johnson 66), Quinn, Lewis (66), Nichols, Keillor-Dunn (Gale 66); substitute: Flinders.

REFEREE: Keith Stroud.

ATTENDANCE: 5,668 (980 away).

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