CHELTENHAM 2 MANSFIELD... 1
MICHAEL DUFF is eyeing a money-spinning tie after Will Boyle’s extra-time winner sent Cheltenham into the fourth round.
Duff’s side were forced to come from behind after Stephen McLaughlin put Mansfield ahead after just three minutes.
But Alfie May levelled midway through the second half to send the all-League Two game into extra-time.
And Boyle (top) headed home from Ben Tozer’s long throw in the 110th minute to take the Robins into the fourth round for the first time in 15 years.
Cheltenham boss Duff said: “It was a big win. It’s worth quite a lot of money and gives us another chance to get a plum tie.
“I’m the same as everyone else, you want to test yourself against the best. The lads have put a lot of effort into the competition this season and deserve the chance.
“My phone is going mad at the minute with wellwishers. I will go to the boardroom and ask for some money for players – but I’ll ask for a beer first!”
Duff, the first footballer to be promoted to the Premier League on three occasions with the same club (Burnley), added: “There was a lot of relief when we scored the first goal because up to that point we had done a lot of hard work without getting any reward.
“It probably helped us that we hadn’t played for 10 days when the match went into extra-time.”
Mansfield boss
Nigel Clough insisted he was pleased with his side’s efforts, despite the extra-time defeat.
He said: “I thought we gave absolutely everything, scrapping, battling, and dealing with everything they threw at us.
“I thought to a man we were excellent.” CHELTENHAM: Griffiths 6, Raglan 6 (Addai 71, 6), Tozer 7, Boyle 8, Blair 6, Thomas 6, May 8, Chapman 7 (Clements 105, 6), Hussey 6 (Freestone 45, 6), Williams 6 (Campbell 112, 6), Lloyd 6 (Azaz 57, 6) MANSFIELD: Stech 6, O’Keeffe 6, Rawson 7, Sweeney 7, Benning 6 (Clarke 115, 6), Charsley 7, Maris 7 (O’Driscoll 108, 6), Lapslie 6, McLaughlin 7 (Cook 79, 6), Reid 6, Bowery 6 REFEREE: Tom Nield
MOTM ALFIE MAY (CHELTENHAM)