Concord Rangers mark FA Cup First Round bow with remarkable draw at Mansfield Town

FA Cup Round One

CONCORD Rangers rose to the occasion on the biggest day in their history to hold Mansfield Town to draw in the FA Cup First Round.

The match was put on hold ten days ago but the Beachboys were more than a match for their League Two opponents on a cold Tuesday night in Mansfield, in which the home goalkeeper was named Man of the Match.

The first half was lit up by a goal of immense quality from Jordan Chiedozie – the ex-Bournemouth man hitting a superb equaliser only 40 seconds after a Danny Glozier own goal had put the Stags in front.

Danny Cowley named an attacking line-up, with Steve Cawley, Jordan Chiedozie and Tony Stokes all causing the home defence problems, but the hosts had the first real chance.

It was Fergus Bell’s jinking run that saw him skip past Matt Fry and hit a shot beyond the far post and, moments later, the hosts opened the scoring.

Having struggled to find the net in recent weeks, with only three goals in eight outings, it was an own goal that handed them the advantage.

A long throw was headed on by giant centre-forward Matt Rhead and, in his eagerness to clear the ball, the unfortunate Danny Glozier could only nod into his own net with Josh Vickers stranded.

Concord, two tiers below their opponents, could have been forgiven for trying to slow the game down but they had hit back inside 40 seconds.

A knock-down found Jordan Chiedozie outside the penalty area and the forward looked up, took aim aim, and blasted past Studer from 30 yards via the inside of the post.

And from that point on the underdogs looked more comfortable, with James White orchestrating the play in midfield.

Chiedozie hadn’t paused for breath, with ex-Beachboys defender Ryan Tafazolli being given the run-around but, as the half was edging towards half-time Mansfield should have regained the lead.

Jordan Chiedozie on the run. PIC: ANDY SMITH

Moments after Adam Murray has struck wide, neat footwork from Rakish Bingham saw him beat the last defender and come face-to-face with Vickers. The striker took a touch and attempted to lob over the on-loan Arsenal stopper but the 18-year-old made a superb block to send the ball behind for a corner.

Increasingly frustrated by more misplaced passes, the home fans displeasure was palpable inside the One Call Stadium and the half-time whistle couldn’t come soon enough for the hosts.

The Stags came out strongly in the second-half, and Bell should have put Mansfield back in front within a minute of kick-off – slicing over after good work from Bingham.

Vickers was not needed on that occasion but he was called upon to deny the lively Bingham moments later, getting down quickly to deny the striker.

The same man fluffed his lines when Marsden’s fizzed cross missed everyone only to see Bingham hit a fresh air shot unmarked from five yards.

But back came Concord and only a tremendous save from Studer kept the scores level. Cawley’s scuffed shot found Chiedozie with his back to goal and his effort was touched over with the deftest of fingertips.

Joe Gardner and Gary Ogilvie came on as the non-league side tired with Mansfield also making changes to cries of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ from the home faithful.

Concord sub Joe Gardner has a shot at goal. PIC: ANDY SMITH

And it was Gardner who almost put the visitors in front for the first time – striking on goal only to see it diverted over the crossbar by a covering defender.

A late Chris Clements free-kick was brilliantly tipped aside by Vickers as the clock ticked into added time and, as home keeper Studer was declared Man of the Match, the whistle went to mark a lucrative replay next Tuesday.

MOM: Jordan Chiedozie (Concord Rangers) Mansfield Town: Studer, Riley, Tafazolli, Bell (Lambe), Rhead (Palmer), Bingham, Beevers, Marsden, Murray, Waterfall, Clements Concord Rangers: Vickers, Walker, Lampe, Fry, Glozier, White, Woodyard, Collins (Ogilvie), Cawley (Miles), Stokes (Gardner), Chiedozie

The Concord players applaud their fans after their fine 1-1 draw. PIC: ANDY SMITH