Match report

Mansfield Town Stuns Barnsley 3-2 in League One Thriller

Barnsley
Barnsley
2–3
FT
Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town
Dec 26, 2025

Mansfield Town staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Barnsley 3-2, turning the tide after conceding early goals from R. Cleary and D. Keillor-Dunn for Barnsley. Despite trailing early on, Mansfield rallied with goals from L. Reed (penalty), S. McLaughlin, and A. Lewis, securing a thrilling victory in League One.

Key Facts

  • • Barnsley took an early lead through R. Cleary at 2' assisted by P. Kelly.
  • • D. Keillor-Dunn extended Barnsley's advantage with a goal at 13', with the assist coming from C. Vickers.
  • • Mansfield Town pulled one back via L. Reed (penalty) in the 25th minute.
  • • S. McLaughlin scored for Mansfield Town to tie it up at 58', assisted by E. Hewitt.
  • • A. Lewis secured the victory for Mansfield with a goal in the 83rd minute.

Lineups

Barnsley

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Cooper (G)
  • 30 J. Bland (D)
  • 4 M. Roberts (D)
  • 5 J. Shepherd (D)
  • 32 J. Earl (D)
  • 45 V. Yoganathan (M)
  • 48 L. Connell (M)
  • 7 C. Vickers (M)
  • 22 P. Kelly (M)
  • 19 R. Cleary (M)
  • 40 D. Keillor-Dunn (F)

Substitutes

  • 51 K. Flavell
  • 3 J. Russell
  • 6 M. de Gevigney
  • 8 A. Phillips
  • 10 D. McGoldrick
  • 23 N. Farrugia
  • 27 T. Watson

Mansfield Town

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 L. Roberts (G)
  • 23 A. Oshilaja (D)
  • 5 R. Sweeney (D)
  • 6 B. Cargill (D)
  • 4 E. Hewitt (M)
  • 25 L. Reed (M)
  • 8 A. Lewis (M)
  • 20 F. Blake-Tracy (M)
  • 22 N. Moriah-Welsh (F)
  • 3 S. McLaughlin (F)
  • 11 W. Evans (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 O. Mason
  • 21 K. McAdam
  • 34 O. Taylor
  • 38 J. Chambers
  • 17 M. Dickov
  • 36 J. Goodman
  • 14 D. Dwyer

Timeline

  1. Barnsley
    2' Barnsley Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Cleary · Assist: P. Kelly
  2. Barnsley
    13' Barnsley Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Keillor-Dunn · Assist: C. Vickers
  3. Mansfield Town
    25' Mansfield Town Goal · Penalty
    L. Reed
  4. Mansfield Town
    33' Mansfield Town Card · Yellow Card
    E. Hewitt

    Foul

  5. Mansfield Town
    58' Mansfield Town Goal · Normal Goal
    S. McLaughlin · Assist: E. Hewitt
  6. Barnsley
    67' Barnsley subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Vimal Yoganathan · On: Adam Phillips
  7. Barnsley
    67' Barnsley subst · Substitution 2
    Off: C. Vickers · On: N. Farrugia
  8. Mansfield Town
    71' Mansfield Town Card · Yellow Card
    S. McLaughlin

    Foul

  9. Mansfield Town
    83' Mansfield Town Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Lewis
  10. Barnsley
    85' Barnsley subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. Cleary · On: J. Russell
  11. Barnsley
    85' Barnsley subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Bland · On: D. McGoldrick
  12. Mansfield Town
    90' Mansfield Town Card · Yellow Card
    B. Cargill

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Barnsley Mansfield Town
Fouls 11 14
Pass Accuracy 83% 69%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 7
Corners 6 1
Total Passes 506 334
Yellow Cards 0 4
Blocked Shots 3 0
Shots on Target 5 4
xG 0.86 1.73
Shots off Target 5 3
Possession 60% 40%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 419 229
Shots Inside Box 6 7
Saves 1 3
Shots Outside Box 7 0

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Mansfield's penalty by L. Reed at the 25th minute marked the beginning of their comeback against Barnsley.
  • ▸ S. McLaughlin's equalizer in the 58th minute shifted momentum significantly towards Mansfield, setting the stage for A. Lewis to seal the victory with a goal in the 83rd.