Anthony Stokes double sees Blackburn progress at Mansfield
League Two Mansfield's hopes of an EFL Cup upset were destroyed by two goals in as many second-half minutes by visiting Championship side Blackburn in a 3-1 defeat.
Anthony Stokes made it three goals in two games to lift Rovers after Saturday's opening home disaster against Norwich and kill off the plucky Stags.
An evenly-contested first half saw a single goal separate the sides at the break after Stokes had picked up a Danny Graham flick on the left of the box on 29 minutes and fired a low shot that deflected inside the far post off centre-half Kyle Howkins.
However, the game was all square just three minutes into the second half, Mitch Rose jumping to head home a long Mal Benning cross from the left.
But it did not last long as a double salvo from Blackburn finally put some daylight between the teams.
The Stags' defending was found wanting as on 53 minutes Shane Duffy was allowed to throw himself at a Craig Conway corner and power home the header.
Then Stokes beat goalkeeper Scott Shearer to a Ben Marshall cross to flick home his header and seal the tie.
Stokes also hit the bar just before the end.
Source : PA
Source: PA