Nigel Clough relieved to see Mansfield edge past bogey team Harrogate

Mansfield manager Nigel Clough was relieved to see his tired team finally edge out their bogey side Harrogate 3-2 after a rip-roaring FA Cup first-round clash.

A second-half brace from half-time substitute George Maris did the trick for the League One outfit after their League Two visitors had twice battled back from behind.

“We just about managed to get through but it was no surprise how hard the game was today,” said Clough.

“Harrogate have been our bogey team for a few seasons and we never felt comfortable at 1-0.

“With 10 men behind the ball they were difficult to break down at times and we were a bit leggy.

“It was good to get that third goal as we didn’t fancy extra time with so many tired legs out there.”

Regan Hendry had slotted the Stags in front after only three minutes, but they failed to add a second and Stephen Duke-McKenna found the top corner from 16 yards in the 56th minute to level.

A Maris shot looped over goalkeeper Mark Oxley via a big deflection to put Mansfield back in front after 67 minutes, only for Anthony O’Connor to head home from a corner to level again after 80 minutes.

Maris popped up with a cool finish to win it three minutes later from Nathan Moriah-Welsh’s pass.

Harrogate boss Simon Weaver said: “I thought we deserved to go to extra time.

“The reaction to going a goal down was excellent and I didn’t think we would fold at all or go under.

“I’m just frustrated for the players. We can take a lot of pride with the performance as a whole.

“It was tough to come to a team flying high in League One with such a talented squad.

“Nigel Clough went strong today, which I thought he would after we beat them in the other cup competition.

“But we never felt in trouble during the game.

“Their second goal took a big deflection and I felt for our keeper.”