Campbell Strikes Late As Stevenage Deny Mansfield Win

On a dramatic afternoon at the Lamex Stadium, Stevenage snatched a point from the jaws of defeat, denying Mansfield Town what seemed a certain sixth consecutive League One victory in a match packed with late drama, controversy, and a flurry of talking points. Chem Campbell’s last-gasp equalizer deep in stoppage time sent the home fans into raptures and left Mansfield ruing a missed opportunity to extend their remarkable run of clean sheets and wins.

Heading into the contest on January 24, 2026, all eyes were on Mansfield Town, who were riding high after five straight league wins and had not conceded a goal in 437 minutes of football. Manager Nigel Clough, looking to keep the momentum going, handed full debuts to January signings Oliver Irow and Jon Russell, both of whom had impressed off the bench in the previous outing. The Stags lined up in a 4-2-3-1, with Cargill slotting in at left back due to the absence of Stephen McLaughlin and Frazer Blake-Tracy.

The match began in chilly conditions, and the opening half quickly established a scrappy, cagey tone. Stevenage signaled intent from the very first minute, taking advantage of Mansfield temporarily being down to ten men after Ryan Sweeney was ordered off following a head knock. Goode’s cross found Lubala, whose header lacked power and was easily gathered. Mansfield responded with a quick break, but Phillips’ early foul on Evans set the tone for a physical contest, earning the game’s first booking within minutes.

Stevenage believed they had struck first midway through the half when Jamie Reid followed up a parried free kick to bundle the ball home, only to see the assistant’s flag raised for offside. It was a let-off for the visitors, who themselves came close on 37 minutes. Irow’s cross caused havoc, the ball fell to Lucas Akins at the edge of the box, and his effort seemed destined for the top corner before Charlie Goode’s alert header off the line kept the scores level. Mansfield’s best chance of the half came from Rhys Oates, who zipped a dipping shot just over the bar after a determined run along the edge of the area.

Both sides made tactical adjustments as the half wore on. Charlie Goode, having made a crucial intervention, was forced off with injury just before the break, replaced by Dan Sweeney. The Stags continued to weather pressure, clearing a dangerous Dan Sweeney cross only for Thompson to slice his finish well wide. The first half ended goalless, with both teams showing flashes but lacking a clinical edge.

The second half saw Stevenage step up their attacking intent. Beryly Lubala tested Mansfield keeper Liam Roberts with a speculative drive from distance, which Roberts fumbled before eventually gathering at the second attempt. Moments later, Lubala went into the referee’s book for hauling down Oates, one of several bookings in an increasingly heated contest. Ryan Sweeney also saw yellow for holding Reid as the game’s intensity ramped up.

Stevenage continued to probe, with Jordan Roberts and Jamie Reid linking up well, only for Reid’s shot to be scuffed straight at Roberts. The hosts enjoyed a good spell of pressure, but Mansfield’s defense, which had been so resolute in recent weeks, stood firm. On 75 minutes, Roberts could only palm away a low cross, sparking a scramble in front of goal before Sweeney cleared the danger.

As the clock ticked down, it looked as though neither side would break the deadlock. But in the 78th minute, Rhys Oates’ clever movement in the box drew a foul from Jasper Pattenden, and referee Ben Atkinson had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Lucas Akins, calm as you like, stepped up and tucked his penalty past Taye Ashby-Hammond, sending the Stags’ traveling support into celebration. With that strike, Mansfield looked set for a sixth straight win and, remarkably, a fourth consecutive league clean sheet.

But football, as ever, had other ideas. As the game entered six minutes of added time, Mansfield were forced to play temporarily with ten men after Ryan Sweeney was ordered off again following a head injury. Sensing their opportunity, Stevenage poured forward. With the clock showing 90+7 minutes, Roberts clawed away a dangerous cross, but the ball fell kindly to Chem Campbell at the back post. Campbell, showing composure beyond his years, drilled a low shot through a crowd of bodies and past Liam Roberts to level the match at 1-1. The stadium erupted as Stevenage’s winless run extended to eight games, but the manner of the equalizer felt like a victory in itself for the home side.

The late drama did not end there. In the aftermath of the goal, Mansfield’s Louis Reed was sent off for dissent, compounding the visitors’ frustration on a day that had promised so much. According to PA Media, Stevenage boss Alex Revell expressed his mixed feelings: "We’re disappointed we didn’t win." Meanwhile, Nigel Clough was left to lament the officiating, stating, "We’ve had a referee who’s made mistakes."

Statistically, the match was a tale of two halves. Mansfield’s defensive record had been impeccable, but Campbell’s late intervention snapped their run of 437 minutes without conceding. The Stags had hoped to keep pace at the top of League One, and while a point away from home is never to be sniffed at, the manner of the draw felt like a gut punch. For Stevenage, the draw may have extended their winless streak, but the resilience shown in the dying moments could serve as a catalyst for the remainder of their campaign.

Both managers now face important decisions. For Clough, the focus will be on regrouping his squad after a bruising afternoon, addressing the disciplinary issues that saw Reed see red and ensuring his side can bounce back from this setback. For Revell, the challenge remains turning spirited performances into victories and ending the frustrating run of draws and near-misses.

As the League One season rolls on, this encounter will be remembered for its late twists, controversial officiating, and the reminder that in football, it’s never over until the final whistle. Stevenage supporters will savor Campbell’s equalizer, while Mansfield will be left to ponder what might have been as both sides look ahead to their next fixtures.