Mansfield 0-0 Kettering

Seddon missed a late chance to seal a valuable win for Kettering at Field Mill

Visitors Kettering ended the happier at Field Mill as the goalless clash denied Mansfield an opportunity to climb to the top of the Blue Square Premier.

The Stags started the better and dominated the opening exchanges.

Mansfield striker Robert Duffy found the back of the net shortly before half time only to be judged to have brought the ball down with his hand.

Kettering's Gareth Seddon then fluffed the game's best chance, heading wide from three yards in the 82nd minute.

Mansfield Town manager David Holdsworth told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"Sometimes you need an architect to open a door and I don't think we had that today.

"I like architects and we might have signed one - the chairman and I have been working on it for quite a while.

"Sometimes you have to be patient but I believe the player we're bringing in we've got at the right time."

Mansfield: Marriott, Armstrong (Graham 40), Jones, Garner,Silk, Williams (Clare 70), Nix, Somner, Briscoe, Perry, Duffy (Speight 62).
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, Mills.

Booked: Duffy, Somner.

Kettering:

Harper, Jennings, Roper, Geohaghon, Dempster, Noubissie (Wrack 59), Fowler, Boucaud, Thomas (Spencer 66), Seddon, McPike (Green 72).
Subs Not Used: Taylor.

Booked: Fowler.

Attendance: 4,034

Referee: R Metcalfe (Lancashire).