FA Cup shock: Mansfield Town stun Burnley with late comeback to reach fifth round
Mansfield Town staged a dramatic second-half comeback to beat Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor and secure a place in the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 1975. Despite falling behind to Josh Laurent's composed finish, the League One visitors rallied after the interval through Rhys Oates and captain Louis Reed, whose superb 25-yard free-kick sealed a memorable upset.
Second-half fightback turns tide at Turf Moor
Burnley looked the likelier side in the opening 45 minutes. Ashley Barnes wasted a gilt-edged chance early on when he diverted Quilindschy Hartman's cross wide from close range, and the hosts went in front on 20 minutes when Josh Laurent feinted and slotted home into an empty net after manoeuvring past Mansfield keeper Liam Roberts.
Jacob Bruun Larsen came agonisingly close to a second for the home side just before the break, his dink over the goalkeeper denied by a goal-line clearance from Kyle Knoyle. Mansfield thought they had pulled level when Rhys Oates finished after breaking the offside trap, but the effort was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
The Stags emerged from the interval with renewed belief and urgency. Oates had a presentable chance early in the second half after a defensive slip but blasted over from a one-on-one. He was not to be denied twice: Knoyle's cross found Oates, who climbed above his marker to head Mansfield level and ignite the visiting support.
Reed's spectacular blow and the fallout for Burnley
Burnley regained control for spells following the equaliser, yet they lacked a clinical touch and paid dearly. With around 10 minutes remaining, Mansfield won a free-kick some 25 yards out. Captain Louis Reed curled a flawless effort past Max Weiss and into the top corner, leaving the home keeper with no chance and putting the Stags ahead against the run of play.
Burnley's attempts to salvage the tie became frantic. Zian Flemming had a late opportunity from close range in stoppage time but blasted over, and Mansfield held on as the final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among players and travelling fans. The result marks a rare bright moment for the defeated side amid a difficult league campaign, while it stands as a historic achievement for Mansfield, who will now prepare for a fifth-round tie they have not reached in over five decades.
Rotation, missed chances and the bigger picture
Managerial rotation on Burnley's side drew questions after the match. Nine changes were made to the team that had earned a morale-boosting league result earlier in the week, and several of the introduced players — including Bruun Larsen, Barnes and Loum Tchaouna — spurned clear chances that could have put the tie beyond reach. The home side finished the match with a high expected-goals tally, but inefficiency in front of goal proved costly.
Mansfield's work-rate and organisation allowed them to weather long periods of pressure and strike at key moments. There was plenty of praise for the visitors' collective performance; even their first-team coach described the cup run as an incredible achievement, highlighting how meaningful progression is for a club of Mansfield's size.
For Burnley, the tie will intensify scrutiny over selection choices and the wider state of the season. A cup run had represented one of the remaining chances to lift spirits and salvage pride, but exit to a third-tier opponent will be viewed as a major setback. For Mansfield, the victory offers a welcome boost — not just in terms of momentum but also the financial and morale rewards that come with a deeper FA Cup run.
Both clubs now turn their attention back to league duties, but for the Stags this night at Turf Moor will be remembered as a defining moment in their long FA Cup history.
