Brilliant goalkeeping, brave defending and two classy finishes delivered a rather fortunate win for Peterborough United at Mansfield Town

Great goalkeeping, two well-taken goals and some heroic last-ditch defending did the job, but the hosts will be wondering how it happened after laying siege to the Posh goal for most of the 90 minutes at the One Call Stadium.

Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Harry Leonard supplied the Posh finishes, but goalkeeper Alex Bass will take most of the plaudits for a string of outstanding saves, including one in the 96th minute at point blank range from Deji Oshilaja.

George Abbott had pulled a goal back for Mansfield in the 84th minute which was the catalyst for a barrage of crosses and shots, but Bass was virtually unbeatable saving thrillingly from Rhys Oates and Luke Bolton.

Posh also survived a succession of set-pieces with Archie Collins and James Dornelly making important interventions. The corner count finished 19-0 which tells its own story.

Posh named an unchanged starting line-up and substitutes’ bench after their six-goal spectacular at the weekend. They faced a far more formidable task in this game though against a Mansfield team who hadn’t let a goal in at home since December 20.

Mansfield manager Nigel Clough reacted to two goalless home draws in a row by making seven changes. ‘The Stags’ have an FA Cup tie at Premier League Burnley on Saturday, which might also have been a factor. Former Posh players Frazer Blake-Tracy and Louis Reed started.

A first-half of total Mansfield domination followed. Posh looked lethargic and only when Morgan popped up in space did they threaten to create a chance. He had the best Posh moment in the 15th minute when advancing past a couple of defenders before shooting wide.

By then Mansfield had threatened from their first two corners with Baily Cargill heading wide from the second of them and it became a procession of home possession and chances until the break, none of them taken. Within 60 seconds Luke Bolton failed to convert on the slide and David Okagbue made an outstanding block to thwart Victor Adeboyejo after an Elliott Hewitt shot had been well saved by Bass.

Towards the end of the half Blake-Tracy steamed clear down the left and forced Bass into another fine save, and from the corner Jon Russell skied over when clear in the penalty area.

But Posh survived and manager Luke Williams responded by replacing midfielder Donay O’Brien with Brandon Khela at the interval. Kyrell Lisbie opened the half with a wild and wide shot before Adeboyejo headed over at the other end.

Mansfield also came close through Nathan Moriah-Welsh and when a poor clearance from Archie Collins fell to Reed at the edge of the penalty area it looked certain to lead to a goal, but a blue shirt arrived to deflect the ball behind.

And from that corner Posh broke with clinical precision to take a 54th minute lead. Lisbie held the ball up well after a clearance, passed to Harry Leonard who fed Cian Hayes who raced into the area before feeding Morgan who finished superbly into the top corner.

Posh enjoyed their best spell of the game after opening the scoring, but Mansfield still had the next decent chance when Regan Hendry scuffed a shot from a right-wing cross.

But it was Posh who struck again when Khela intercepted a wayward pass in the 68th minute and played Leonard through. The finish was impeccable. Leonard then returned the favour to Khela who shot straight at home ‘keeper Liam Roberts.

Mansfield emptied their bench as Posh sent on a pair of rookies. That stopped any attacking intent from the visitors, but the home side couldn’t find a second goal which would have been the least they deserved.

Posh: Alex Bass, Carl Johnston, David Okagbue, Tom Lees, James Dornelly, Archie Collins, Donay O’Brien-Brady, Kyrell Lisbie, Jimmy-Jay Morgan (sub Patryk Sykut, 77 mins), Cian Hayes (sub Declan Frith, 68 mins), Harry Leonard (sub Pemi Aderoju, 77 mins).

Unused subs: Bastian Smith, Peter Kioso, George Nevett.

Mansfield: Liam Roberts, Elliott Hewitt (sub Oliver Irow, 81 mins), Deji Oshilaja, Baily Cargill (sub Stephen McLaughlin, 62 mins) Fraser Blake-Tracy, Louis Reed, Jon Russell (sub George Abbott, 62 mins), Luke Bolton, Regan Hendry (sub Rhys Oates, 68 mins), Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Victor Adeboyejo (sub Will Evans, 68 mins).

Unused subs: Harry Lewis, Kyle Knoyle,

Posh goals: Morgan (54 mins), Leonard (68 mins).

Mansfield goals: Abbott (84 mins).

Posh cautions: Morgan (foul).

Mansfield cautions: Russell (foul), Abbott (foul).

Referee: Carl Brook.

Attendance: 7,167 (440 Posh)