Mansfield Town 0 Rushden & Diamonds 0

Last updated : 11 December 2004 By Footymad Previewer
Keeper Billy Turley denied Mansfield a first win in ten games with a brilliant solo display to earn Rushden a valuable point in their relegation fight.

The Stags now with just one league goal in 584 minutes and with caretaker manager Carlton Palmer still looking for his first victory totally dominated but failed to convert any of their 22 goal attempts.

In contrast, a poor Rushden team created just one opportunity - and that came as early as the second minute when Phillip Gulliver's low close-range shot was deflected for a corner.

Ten minutes later a mazy run from Derek Asamoah unlocked the Rushden defence but after beating four defenders his drive was parried by Turley.

The Stags again went close in the 21st minute. Adam Murray's sweeping cross-field pass picked out Jake Buxton on the left touchline and his first-time cross was headed narrowly wide by Richie Barker.

Mansfield's shoot on sight policy twice saw Corden test the keeper before Turley brilliantly kept out Barker's point-blank finish ten minutes before half-time when Paul Warne flicked on another Corden cross.

In the 41st minute Asamoah outpaced Gulliver only for Turley to push his final shot around the post for a corner.

The Stags again dominated the start of the second half with wave after wave of attacks.

Alex Baptiste and Barker both squandered close-range shooting opportunities and then Turley again denied Asamoah with a finger tip save for the third time, tipping his acrobatic finish around the woodwork.

Asamoah's clever overhead kick skimmed the bar and Warne's shot on the turn was deflected over as Mansfield's pressure became incessant.

Eleven minutes from time Turley performed more heroics with a fine double save to thwart Asamoah and Adam Murray to clinch a point.