Matty Longstaff suffered Wembley heartbreak as 10-man Mansfield Town were trounced 3-0 by Port Vale in the League Two play-off final. The on-loan midfielder has enjoyed a renaissance under Nigel Clough for the Stags after seeing first-team opportunities limited at Newcastle United.
His January arrival helped inspire Mansfield to a good run of form as they clinched the final play-off berth. Longstaff’s contribution was sizable as he bagged six goals in 17 outings to showcase his talents in the lower leagues.
However, his final game on loan proved a disaster as Town were battered in London by an on-song Port Vale side. Goals from Kian Harratt and James Wilson earned the Valiants a two-goal cushion before Olivier Hawkins was dismissed for Mansfield due to two bookable offences.
Clough’s troops were up against it in the second half and Longstaff was hooked after 65 minutes and replaced by George Maris. The final nail in the coffin came five minutes from time when Mal Benning completed the rout to book Port Vale a place in League One.
The Newcastle youngster will now take a month off before linking up with Eddie Howe’s first-team squad at the start of July.
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