Bowman’s aim is true as York continue run

The former Darlington striker’s spot-kick earned the Minstermen this win at Mansfield and the visitors gained maximum points despite substitute Wes Fletcher failing to convert a second penalty in stoppage time.

Bowman’s 32nd-minute penalty was awarded amid strong protests from Mansfield’s players after Josh Carson had tumbled over John Dempster’s challenge in the home box.

But, with many in the Field Mill crowd expecting referee Darren Drysdale to caution the York winger for diving, he pointed to the spot instead.

Making no mistake from 12 yards, Bowman found Alan Marriott’s bottom left-hand corner to end a barren run of nine games without a goal.

Mansfield improved as the half wore on with Jamie McGuire and Matt Rhead both calling York goalkeeper Nick Pope into action before the break.

Rhead’s low edge-of-the-box effort was saved by Pope within seconds of the restart and York moved within two points of the play-off places.

Fletcher squandered a chance to double the visitors’ lead in stoppage time when his penalty was saved after Ryan Tafazolli was punished for handball.

Mansfield Town: Marriott; Riley, Dempster (Palmer, 58), Tafazolli; Westlake (Beevers, 29), Murray (Cain, 73), McGuire, Clucas, Jennings; Rhead, Meikle. Unused substitutes: Stevenson, Dyer, Clements, Daniel.

York City: Pope; Oyebanjo, Lowe, McCombe, Davies; Carson, Penn, Reed (Montrose, 77), Hayhurst; Bowman (Fletcher, 72), Coulson (Jarvis, 85). Unused substitutes: Platt, McGurk, Ingham, Puri.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).