Mansfield 2-2 Southport

Southport fought back from 2-0 down to earn a vital point at Mansfield.

Conor Higginson fired in from the edge of the area to give the hosts the lead and Louis Briscoe tapped in from six yards to double their advantage.

The Stags' Paul Connor then saw his penalty saved by Tony McMillan after Earl Davis had fouled Adam Murray.

Aaron Turner pulled one back from close range and Matty McGinn levelled from the spot after Paul Stonehouse had brought down Shaun Whalley in the box.

Southport now sit one point above the Blue Square Bet Premier relegation zone in 19th place.

Mansfield Town manager Duncan Russell told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"I said to the guys at half-time that you have to go out and start at the same sort of tempo, keeping the shape we played and you will get your result.

"I thought the defining moment was the penalty and I know Paul Connor didn't mean to miss but 3-0 would have killed the game.

"We played them off the park in the first half and it's really disappointing. When they got the goal we seemed to panic even more. That's where we need to be mentally strong."

Mansfield: Grof, Istead, Naylor, Foster, Stonehouse, Higginson (Hall 88), Thompson, Murray, Medley, Connor, Briscoe (O'Rafferty 79).
Subs Not Used: Collett, Sandwith, Preece.

Goals: Higginson 30, Briscoe 44.

Southport: McMillan, Williams, Marsh-Evans, Davis (Flynn 58), McGinn, Kissock, Turner, Moogan, Ledsham (Whalley 46), Daly, McNeil.
Subs Not Used: Dickinson, Tony Gray, Blakeman.

Booked: Ledsham.

Goals: Turner 57, McGinn 83 pen.

Att: 1,467.

Ref: Russell Fletcher (Derbyshire).