Stags stalemate for Latics

Latics drew 0-0 at Mansfield

Latics ground out a largely uninspiring goalless draw at fellow League Two strugglers Mansfield.

The fourth-bottom Stags, who have now gone 11 games without a win in all competitions - and were without eight key players - began the first half well and Danny Johnson fired just wide after 11 minutes.

But they were rocked a minute later when George Maris suffered a clash of heads with team-mate James Clarke and a worrying 13-minute hold-up followed before he was carried off on a stretcher.

Latics eventually took a grip and five minutes before the break, Harrison McGahey turned the ball against the woodwork from six yards after Carl Piergianni had headed a Jamie Bowden corner towards him.

Rhys Oates sent a good chance wide for Mansfield after turning his marker.

But in the 14 first-half added minutes, home goalkeeper Nathan Bishop parried a shot from Piergianni after the Stags failed to clear Benny Couto's long throw.

Then, on a breakaway, Zak Dearnley forced another save with David Keillor-Dunn sending the follow-up wide.

In a scrappy second half of few chances, Harry Charsley forced Jayson Leutwiler to save low efforts after 68 and 81 minutes as the home side dominated without reward.

Latics boss Keith Curle said: "I thought we dominated and had the better chances at the end of the first half.

"The second half I thought was quite even."

Latics are back in action on Saturday with a home game against Stevenage.

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