Latics cling on to claim a replay

MANSFIELD 0 ATHLETIC 0

ATHLETIC will have home advantage in a replay after escaping with a scoreless draw at Mansfield in the first round of the FA Cup.

David Dunn's side were indebted to Cameron Dummigan for taking their place in the hat on Monday, with the right-back twice clearing off the line.

While Ricardo Fuller hit a shot wide when well-placed, the home side also missed a golden chance when Reggie Lambe volleyed over from close range.

And the home side turned the screw near the end, leaving the visitors grateful for the final whistle.

Athletic started brightly at Field Mill, with Mark Yeates hitting a shot which deflected and looped over the top.

Fielding a 4-4-2 formation with Yeates and Dominic Poleon out wide, Athletic looked sharp initially going forward and Danny Philliskirk's placed shot was well-blocked by Ryan Tafazolli when it looked to be heading in.

Fuller, partnered up top by Michael Higdon, should have opened the scoring when played in by Yeates. Instead, he rolled his shot inside the box a yard wide of the far post.

Just before half-time, with Mansfield gaining the upper hand in midfield, a length-of-field break saw Craig Westcarr deliver a superb cross which Lambe wastefully volleyed over from no more than six yards out.

Dummigan saved Athletic's bacon by first blocking from Matt Green, after his shot was initially saved by Joel Coleman.

And after Lee Croft forced Brian Jensen into a rare save, at the other end a neat passing move ended with Dummigan racing back to block a Nathan Thomas shot.

While Mansfield pressed for a winner, Athletic just about held on.