Peterborough 0 Mansfield 0

Last updated : 12 October 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Mansfield ground out their first clean sheet of the season to pick up a precious point at hapless Peterborough.

The Stags went into the high noon clash with confidence following their 6-1 trouncing of Tranmere last week and were the happier of the two sides with a point at London Road - although they could just have easily pinched all three.

Striker Iyseden Christie was guilty of squandering a golden chance either side of half time, firstly when firing straight at Mark Tyler when clean through on goal and later blazing well over from eight yards after Craig Disley had picked out his run.

The home side also had chances to secure a win, with Bradley Allen the main culprit midway through the first half when heading a David Farrell corner wide of the mark with the goal at his mercy.

Farrell wasted a couple of opportunities himself after roaming down the left-hand side of the penalty area in the second period, but for much of the affair the Mansfield defence were well in control and were worthy of praise for their clean sheet after leaking 35 goals in their opening 12 matches.

Despite the away point, Stags boss Stuart Watkiss was slightly disappointed that his men did not find the back of the net.

"I can't complain about 90 per cent of our play but our finishing let us down," he said. "Peterborough had chances as well but I thought we were on top and it's disappointing not to have taken a maximum return.

"There were many pleasing things however and I think we're now adapting better to the higher level of football."

Opposite number Barry Fry was more critical of his own players, grumbling: "Apart from Sagi Burton, who was fantastic, we were very poor throughout.

"Apart from my captain Andy Edwards, the side was the same as the one that beat Brentford 5-1 two weeks ago, and I can't understand why we didn't perform today."