Tuesday 17 March 2015 22:54, UK
A thrilling second half saw Rakish Bingham steal three precious points to move Mansfield nearer safety in a 2-1 win over AFC Wimbledon.
Having thrown away a lead given to them by Lee Beevers after 6 minutes, when Ryan Tafazolli needlessly conceded a 69th-minute penalty, Bingham's goal was just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Stags. Callum Elder burst down the left and put in a low cross that the Dons failed to clear and substitute Bingham reacted quicker than David Winfield to bury a low finish from 12 yards off the inside of the post. The deadlock was broken when Beevers reached a half-cleared Chris Clements free-kick on the edge of the box and found the back of the net via a deflection on his low shot. But Tafazolli clearly handled the ball to give George Francombe the chance to blast home the equaliser from the penalty spot. Clearly lifted, the Dons had two good chances after that as sub Adebayo Azeez twice beat the offside flag only to put one finish wide and see goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley deny him with his legs on the second occasion. Billy Kee almost marked his recall to the attack with a goal after only five minutes. After a corner was cleared, Jamie McGuire threaded the ball back down the middle of the advancing defence and Kee was clear. However, his dipping finish cannoned back off the crossbar with Ross Worner beaten and Kee failed to keep his follow-up header down as it cleared the goal. Wimbledon, who spent much of the first half shooting from long distance, almost broke through after 20 minutes when Pidgeley had to claw away a firm header from David Winfield. Just before the break Winfield's head was in the way of a goalbound Vadaine Oliver shot as the first half ended in stalemate.
