Owen Mason penalty heroics send Mansfield through

Mansfield goalkeeper Owen Mason was the penalty hero as the Stags sealed a place in the FA Cup third round with a 3-1 penalty shootout win over Accrington after the match finished 2-2 after extra-time.

Mason saved three of Stanley’s spot-kicks, denying Joe Bauress, Benn Ward and Isaac Heath in the shoot-out as the Stags scored all their penalties.

The home side started strongly and opened the scoring on 27 minutes when Donald Love’s cross found Everton loan winger Heath and he hit the ball first time into the far corner of the net.

Stanley continued to dominate the chances but could not add to their one-goal tally by the break.

Nigel Clough made a double substitution at half-time with forward players Will Evans and Lukas Akins coming on and they looked more of a threat.

From their seventh successive corner after 53 minutes, Nathan Moriah-Welsh’s flag kick was headed in by top scorer Evans.

Paddy Madden put the Reds back in front after 102 minutes when Love’s cross was not held by Mason and the Chesterfield loan striker smashed home.

However, in the second minute of added time in the first half of extra-time, Dom Dwyer’s shot was pushed out by goalkeeper Ollie Wright and Kyle McAdam forced the ball home from close range.

Then came the penalties and Mason’s heroics.