Mansfield keep run going as Jamie McDonnell brace downs Blackpool

Jamie McDonnell struck twice as Mansfield chalked up a third win in eight days with a 2-0 win over Blackpool.

McDonnell’s brace early in the second half ensured victories at Cheltenham in the Carabao Cup and Exeter in the league were followed up with a first home win of the campaign.

The Stags dominated the first half, with Regan Hendry forcing visiting goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell into a fine save with a shot from distance after only five minutes.

Will Evans, Louis Reed and Hendry all then fired efforts over the Pool bar.

The biggest moment of the half came in stoppage time as Will Evans flicked on a Reed free-kick and it struck the hand of Lee Evans to concede a penalty.

But Peacock-Farrell saved superbly full length to his right and, when Max Dickov put the ball back across, Lee Evans cleared Luke Bolton’s close-range header off the line.

However, two minutes after the break, Mansfield broke through as Hendry’s corner was headed home at the far post by Nottingham Forest loanee McDonnell.

McDonnell doubled his and Mansfield’s tally by poking home at the far post from another Hendry corner eight minutes later.