Mansfield 1-1 Birmingham | Football news

Mansfield fought back to earn a 1-1 home draw against League One leaders Birmingham.

Villum Willumsson put the Blues ahead but Lee Gregory’s free-kick kept the gap between the two promotion contenders at five points.

The Blues scored in the 10th minute when Keshi Anderson walked up the left touchline and fired a low cross into the path of Willumsson, who fired home from 12 yards.

Willumsson almost doubled his tally in the 25th minute but home goalkeeper Christy Pym blocked his shot with an ill-judged pass.

Birmingham dominated possession but much of their effort was directed from long range, with Paik Seung-ho unleashing a brutal shot that flew just inches before the break.

Lyndon Dykes headed home Pym just after the break from Anderson’s superb cross.

But Mansfield equalized when Gregory fired a free-kick over the wall and into the near post from outside the area in the 63rd minute.

Two minutes later, while trying to clear the ball from Anderson, Mansfield defender Aden Flint headed the ball towards his post and Dykes somehow fired wide of the gaping goal.

Stephen McLaughlin forced two good saves from Birmingham goalkeeper Ryan Alsop in as many minutes before the Stags comfortably fended off a late push from the visitors.