In a game low on quality but high on drama, both sides went into the game desperate for the points as they try to climb clear of the relegation positions. In truth it was a game Mansfield had to win while Carlton as a minimum needed to avoid defeat and maintain the five point cushion over their Nottinghamshire rivals they started the match with.

Manager Wayne Scott made three changes to the side which lost to Tadcaster last time out. Out went Luke Smithson, Joshua Kwadu and James Matthews. In came Ryan Ebanks, Aaron Opoku and a rare start for Kyle Stovell.

The Bulls got off to a flyer and were ahead inside two minutes, thanks mainly to some woeful Carlton defending. There seemed little danger when a lofted ball was played into the Carlton left back position, but Oliver Robinson seemed to lose the flight of the ball completely, James Frost was outmuscled and Joe Iaciofano fired across Jack Steggles from such a narrow angle it looked as if the goalkeeper was certain to save the shot. He didn’t and Mansfield were a goal ahead.

Carlton responded and were level on eight minutes with the first of three penalties awarded in the match. Jordan Annable brought down Ben Hutchinson and Hutchinson himself got up to rifle home from the spot.

Stovell, who caused the Bulls plenty of problems in the first half, drew a fine save from Jason White with a stinging shot whilst at the other end Steggles made an excellent save from another Iaciofano effort.

Julian Lawrence should have restored Mansfield’s lead on 23 minutes but he headed wide unmarked from a Cameron Healey free kick and Carlton took full advantage, taking the lead on 27 minutes. Hutchinson lifted a free kick into the area, Opoku did well to hold the ball up and slipped it to Stovell who fired into the top corner despite White getting a hand to the ball.

Carlton went looking for a third goal and Stovell broke through a static defence before running into trouble. The ball fell to Ebanks who delivered a fine cross towards Opoku, only for Lawrence to clear.

Stovell then linked with Opoku before seeing a shot rebound to Oliver Clark whose effort flew over the bar.

The Bulls knew they had to present more of a threat if they were to get back into the game but it was the Millers who had the first chance of the second half, with Opoku doing well to control a long clearance from Steggles but then failing to see Stovell who was alone at the bacxk post with the goal at his mercy.

Mansfield were offered a route back into the game with a penalty on 54 minutes. Ebanks had given away an unnecessary free kick. Carlton had managed to clear the danger only to give away a throw in in their left back position. The ball was played into Annable who was pushed in the back by Frost and went to ground. The referee awarded a penalty and Iaciofano converted to level the scores.

Neither side seemed capable of stringing two passes together by this stage although Mansfield, to their credit, were trying to play the ball out from defence.

It was the Bulls now with the momentum and Olly Fearon hit a cross-shot just wide. It was Fearon who put Mansfield back in front on 66 minutes, outpacing a pedestrian defence and firing past Steggles, despite the keeper getting a glove to the ball.

Scott brought on Kieran Walker and the club captain had an immediate impact, launching a trademark long throw which saw the referee award Carlton a second penalty after he adjudged that White had pushed Hutchinson. It wasn’t easy to see the infringement, albeit the cycling track around the pitch doesn’t afford for a close-up view of the action, but Hutchinson wasn’t complaining as he converted his second spot-kick of the afternoon to make it 3-3.

Stovell was still looking lively and when he fed Henry Rollinson on the right the substitute sent over an excellent cross which wasn’t read by Hutchinson.

Iaciofano should have bagged his hatrick moments later, running clean though on goal but Steggles made an excellent save in the one-on-one duel.

That looked to be the last chance of the game until Buxton’s late winner. A throw-in on the right was flicked on and Buxton poked home at the back post via a deflection to beat a deflated Steggles and delight the home support.

Carlton Town: Steggles, Ebanks, Bartle, Robinson, Bertram, Frost, Davie (Rollinson 79), O Clark (Walker 69), Stovell, Hutchinson, Opoku (Blake 64). Unused substitutes: Pick, Smithson

Goals: Hutchinson 8 (pen), 71 (pen), Stovell 27; Joe Iaciofano 2, 54 (pen), Olly Fearon 66, Phil Buxton 90

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Kyle Stovell

Attendance: 105