MANSFIELD TOWN 1, STOCKPORT COUNTY 1
Stockport County stay top of Sky Bet League One, despite losing their 100 per cent record after being held to a draw at Mansfield Town.
The Hatters remain unbeaten having collected 10 points from their opening four league games – they are ahead of Wrexham and Birmingham City on goal difference.
This was the fifth meeting between the teams since County’s return to the EFL in 2022, but the Hatters have yet to record a win – three losses and two draws.
The point at the One Call Stadium came courtesy of Kyle Wootton’s third goal of the season which cancelled the strike from Hiram Boateng which had given the Stags the lead.
County made two changes to the side which beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 the previous week with Jayden Fevrier and Tyler Onyango making their first league starts for the club as Jack Diamond dropped to the bench and Jay Mingi ruled out through injury.
Mansfield, who had lost 4-1 against Lincoln City in their previous match, had lost key players Davis Keillor-Dunn and Will Swan to Barnsley and Crawley Town respectively during the week.
County were unlucky not to take a fourth minute lead when Fevrier forced a fine save from Christy Pym who turned his shot on to the crossbar.
That was soon followed by Onyango meeting Oliver Norwood’s corner with a glancing header that flew narrowly wide.
The Stags took the lead in the 22nd minute. Lucas Akins’ square ball was collected by Boateng whose powerful shot couldn’t be kept out by Corey Addai – the first goal County have conceded in the league this season.
County were level 15 minutes later as Wootton displayed his predatory instinct. Callum Camps floated a cross to Fraser Horsfall whose header forced a fine save from Pym, but Wootton was on hand to head home the rebound from close range.
Five minutes after the restart, Addai was called into action to deny Lee Gregory following a quickly taken free kick.
Louie Barry broke from halfway, driving into the Mansfield box and again forcing Pym into making an important save.
Mansfield had the ball in net through Akins, but it was ruled out for a foul on Ibou Touray.
County then finished the game strongly and had chances to claim all three points.
Camps made a driving run through midfield before curling a shot just wide then in stoppage time Fevrier squared the ball to substitute Tanto Olaofe, but his effort went just wide of the post.
Stockport: Addai, Onyango, Horsfall, Pye, Touray, Camps, Norwood, Fevrier, Collar, Barry (Olaofe 76), Wootton.Subs (unused): Hinchliffe, Bailey, Diamond, Mapengu, Stretton, Watson.
Attendance: 8,219 (1,391 visitors).