Mansfield Town are set to make a formal request to the English Football League (EFL) for their recent League One fixture to be replayed, following what manager Nigel Clough has labelled a "grossly incompetent" error by the match official.
The Controversial Incident at Field Mill
The drama unfolded during Mansfield's home game against Stockport County at Field Mill on Saturday. The visitors took the lead in the first half through an own goal from Mansfield's Kyle Wootton. Ryan Sweeney then inadvertently scored an own goal for Mansfield to level the scores just before the interval.
The pivotal moment came when the referee mistakenly blew the half-time whistle a full minute early. This decision cut short the first period and, according to a furious Nigel Clough, potentially robbed his side of a crucial attacking opportunity.
Clough's Fury and Replay Demand
Speaking after the 2-1 defeat, which was sealed by a second-half goal from Stockport's Jack Diamond, Clough left no doubt about his intentions. He confirmed the club would appeal to the governing body for an unprecedented replay.
"We’re going to ask the EFL if we can replay the game," Clough stated. "Because anything can happen in a minute. We had a corner just before, and to blow a minute early is just grossly incompetent."
Relegation Worries and Historical Precedent
The consequences of the loss are severe for Mansfield. The result sees them drop into the League One relegation zone, alongside clubs like Blackpool, Doncaster Rovers, and Port Vale. Their season record now stands at six wins, five draws, and nine losses from 20 matches, amassing 23 points.
While match replays due to officiating mistakes are exceptionally rare in professional football, they are not without precedent. In October, an FA Vase tie between Wythenshawe and Holker Old Boys was ordered to be replayed after a refereeing error in a penalty shootout.
Mansfield now face a critical festive period. Their next matches are an away trip to Barnsley on December 26th, followed by a visit to Bolton Wanderers on December 29th. They then host Bradford City at home on New Year's Day.
