WHAT is it with Accrington Stanley and late goals against Mansfield Town?
Just when the Stags thought they'd made it five victories in a row, just when they thought a play-off push might truly be on, it was frustration and heartbreak all over again at the storefirst.com stadium.
James Beattie's men snatched the points with a couple of late efforts in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, and history repeated itself as they rescued a draw right at the death.
It was tough on Paul Cox's team, who showed the same kind of resolve that had taken them to within a Ryan Tafazolli kick of the top seven.
Making that step looks unlikely now, but Mansfield's rise up the table has been built on grit and determination, a solid defence and hard work from front to back – and those same qualities were on display against Accrington.
The hosts edged possession in the first half, but the Stags stood firm. The physical presence of Kayode Odejayi was nullified, the clearances well timed and the saves from Crystal Palace loanee Lewis Price superb.
Darryl Westlake proved important interventions can come from anywhere across the pitch as he made a fantastic tackle in the 19th minute.
Stanley had looked to hit their visitors on the counter-attack as Shay McCartan threaded the ball through for Lee Molyneux. But with the front man free in the box, Westlake raced across and averted the danger.
Adam Murray had blocked Will Hatfield's effort shortly before and, as the half wore on, Price was required to show his class on more than one occasion.
Just past the half hour, McCartan twisted and turned his way through the Stags back line and drilled the ball goalwards – Price's legs denying Accrington an opener.
Cox's men had dug in during the opening stages, but with neither side able to find any fluency, it was hard going, at times, up front.
Martin Riley had put James Jennings' free-kick over the bar in the first few minutes and Colin Daniel had fired wide from 25 yards after Chris Clements' set-piece had been only partially cleared.
For the most part though, home keeper Marcus Bettinelli enjoyed a relatively comfortable first half. He easily caught a speculative overhead kick from Jennings, following Matt Rhead's header on from Murray's cross, and diverted Ollie Palmer's low shot beyond his post.
The one time Bettinelli's blood pressure was really raised came five minutes before the break.
Daniel struck the ball with great venom from almost on the penalty spot, but his effort was straight at the Stanley stopper, who showed great reactions to beat it away.
Anything he could do, Price proved he can do too, making a fine save to deny Peter Murphy on the turn just before the interval.
Mansfield made the brighter start after the break, but still they struggled to break their opponents down – a Murray strike and a Riley header causing few problems.
Cox quickly brought on fresh legs in the form of Sam Clucas and the winger took the opportunity to run at the Reds, though could only find the side-netting when carving out space for himself on the right-hand side of the box.
Clements found himself in a similar position midway through the half, but a rush of blood saw him snatch at the volley and put it well wide, following good work by Clucas.
Slowly but surely, the Stags were starting to find their feet and build up a head of steam – benefiting once again from a switch to 4-4-2 and some inspired changes from the bench.
They thought they had grabbed the winner with less than 20 minutes to go when substitute Jake Speight finished off Jennings' cross, but the assistant referee's flag quickly ended the celebrations.
Still, Speight didn't have to wait long for his first of the season for the club.
Both he and Clucas had looked lively since their introductions and they combined with 75 minutes gone – the former working his magic to dance through the defence and his team-mate capping the move with a brilliant finish from close range.
After a season which has been blighted by a persistent knee problem, it was a moment to savour for Speight.
The final quarter of an hour was not without its scares – Accrington trying to beat their visitors at their own game by applying pressure from set-pieces as they pressed for an equaliser.
Price, however, was coolness personified in between the posts, and his composure rubbed off on those in front of him, with some sterling performances from those in blue.
Victory was no less than they deserved, but Accrington seem to have the measure of Mansfield when it comes to last minute strikes.
Referee Richard Clark pointed to the spot following Riley's challenge on James Gray and though Price went the right way from Kai Naismith's penalty, there was no keeping it out.
Man of the match: Ryan Tafazolli: Has been one of the Stags' most consistent players this season, and put in another outstanding performance. Covered more ground than seemed humanly possible and made some fine clearances.
Ref watch: Richard Clark (Northumberland): Stags felt an offside flag should have gone up when James Gray went down for the penalty, but that aside, there were few complaints about the actual decision. A few questionable free-kicks given, but overall, not a bad game by the referee.
Accrington: Bettinelli; Hunt, Winnard, Aldred, Liddle, Hatfield (Naismith 78), Murphy, Joyce, Molyneux (Mingoia 78), Odejayi, McCartan (Gray 65). Subs not used: Webber, Windass, Buxton, Atkinson.
Mansfield: Price; Tafazolli, Riley, Sutton, Westlake (Meikle 60), Clements, Murray, Daniel (Speight 70), Jennings, Rhead, Palmer (Clucas 52). Subs not used: Dempster, Briscoe, Stevenson, Howell.
Attendance: 2,092 (662 away).
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