Just a minute of normal time remains at the end of this first half.

Mansfield try to create something with a ball in from the left from Stephen Quinn finding Rhys Oates, who tries to tee up a headed chance. The hosts survive.

Northampton are not happy! Fraser Horsfall goes down in the box as he tries to meet a long throw. John-Joe O'Toole was certainly all over him.

They crowd around referee Ben Toner to voice their disappointment in not being awarded a penalty.

In the background, however, is Sam Hoskins who has his hands on his head after scooping a golden chance over the bar after the ball dropped at his feet following that tangle between Horsfall and O'Toole.

Northampton boss Jon Brady is looking very stern on the side of the pitch with his arms crossed.

Being a goal down, when already chasing the game is not how he would have wanted this half to play out.

Northampton are all of a sudden playing with urgency.

Josh Eppiah races to try meet a defence-splitting ball from Shaun McWilliams, but Stags goalkeeper Nathan Bishop reads the danger and races off his line to clear the ball at the top of the box.

Northampton Town goalkeeper Liam Roberts runs off his line to stomp on a stray balloon.

The cheer he got for popping it is about as big as anything we've had tonight, and that just about sums up how things have panned out in the first 28 minutes.

Lucas Akins has to be alert at the back for Mansfield now.

Josh Eppiah does well to curl a dangerous cross into the box in search of Ali Koiki, but Akins is there to see the ball out for a corner.

The set-piece is a harmless one.

A succession of throws has seen Mansfield inch their way up field on the right edge.

Eventually a corner is forced when Elliott Hewitt has a cross blocked. The ball in, however, is comfortably taken by Northampton goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

That two minutes was more like a game of rugby union with one side punting the ball into touch at every opportunity to get field position.

Louis Appere tries to play Josh Appiah in with a long ball from the left.

Appere took a touch too long to launch it and Appiah strays offside. That was a menacing moment from the hosts.

Mansfield are yet to really get going in attack.

They haven't created anything going forward and have played a lot of this game in their own half so far.

Well, there is certainly nothing wrong with Jack Sowerby. He meets a loose ball on the edge of the area and has a go. The thumping effort is blocked for a corner.

There were half-hearted shouts for a handball and penalty in there it seems, but there didn't appear to be a lot in it.

Stags goalkeeper Nathan Bishop claims the ball with little trouble when it's swung in.

Postpublished at 11 mins

11 mins

Northampton 0-0 Mansfield (Agg 1-2)

There is a brief break in play after Northampton's Jack Sowerby took a knock. He takes a swig of water and is good to go again after being checked out by the medics.

The match has quickly settled after the fast start from Northampton.

A quick throw from Mitchell Pinnock and long free-kick from deep by the hosts have kept Mansfield's defence on their toes, but nothing of note has been created.

Image source, Rex Features

A few long throws are hurled into the box by Northampton.

Mansfield have the measure of them, but it was a weapon the Cobblers used well in the second half of the first leg.

Mansfield with their first corner now. It's been an open and end-to-end few minutes at the start of this one.

Jon Guthrie got the block in to concede the corner, which comes in from Stephen Quinn but is cleared out from deep by the Cobblers.

Northampton with the first corner of the game now.

It comes in from the left and is dealt with. The home fans will be loving this.

Northampton boss Jon Brady made a lot of wanting a fast start from the home side.

They are delivering that.

Josh Appiah tests Nathan Bishop with a header. Great save.

And off we go in the second leg.

Image source, Getty Images

Mansfield are looking to return to the third tier for the first time since 2003 and manager Nigel Clough has cited former club Liverpool as an example of how to rise to a challenge at the end of a long, hard season.

"It's the teams and the players that put that to one side (that come out on top). I don't think anyone epitomises that more than Liverpool, they've won two cups on penalties and they've played more games than anybody," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"Whether it's penalties or whatever on Wednesday night, that's the strength you need."

Image source, Rex Features

Northampton Town boss Jon Brady wants his team to get "on the front foot" early in the home leg of their League Two play-off against Mansfield.

The Cobblers have to overturn a 2-1 deficit if they are to face Swindon or Port Vale at Wembley on 28 May.

They were two goals behind after 32 minutes of the first leg and cannot afford another sluggish start.

"The players gained a lot of confidence and belief from the second half," Brady told BBC Radio Northampton.

"They've got a goal advantage but we're at Sixfields, we've got our home fans, and we're looking forward to the challenge."