Mansfield Town 1
Torquay United 3

THE Stags’ home season ended on a whimper with a second successive home defeat in six days as Torquay were relegated to the Conference, despite this deserved victory.

The only bright spot for the home side was a debut for youth team star Liam Marsden. The 19-year-old, who played right wing back in the absence of the injured Darryl Westlake, was named man of the match and the only player to earn praise from his manager, Paul Cox.

Striker Matt Rhead, who picked up four player of the year awards before kick-off, was sent off just before half-time for a rash, late lunge for possession that saw him make contact with United’s Tonge.

However, by then the Stags, who made five changes from Monday’s deefeat to Cheltenham, trailed 2-0 after a bright start was undone by poor defending.

First the recalled John Dempster deflected in a 13th minute left wing cross and then another cross from the left on the half-hour picked out the unmarked Yeoman. His point-blank header was well saved by Lewis Price but the visiting striker easily tapped in the rebound.

The Stags poured forward at the start of the second half and were immediately rewarded when James Jennings’ header from a corner was deflected in off the post after just 36 seconds.

Mansfield, who has created a few first-half half-chances and also saw Dempster’s close range header saved, failed to build on that momentum, although for 20 minutes they did not look like a side a man short.

However, after Price had denied Torquay with three superb saves, casual play by Martin Riley allowed Chappell to cross for Coulthirst to head in to seal victory.