Mansfield Town v Macclesfield Town, 28 August 2000

The £6million new look Field Mill was given a tremendous christening as the M Towns fought out an eight goal thriller. In the end it was disappointment for the home fans in the sell-out crowd as the Stags threw away a two goal advantage. Macclesfield overcame their own disappointment of twice relinguishing the lead. Long-serving John Askey gave them their first lead after Richie Barker hit a post, then veteran Stag Mark Blake levelled when his header slipped from Tony Bullock's grasp. Former Mansfield man Ben Sedgemore hit a terrific right-foot volley before Darrell Clarke responded on the stroke of half time in similar fashion with his left. New Stag Shayne Bradley edged the home team ahead with his first goal on his home debut with Clarke extending the advantage with his second. After Barker pulled one back, Macc piled on the pressure and were rewarded five minutes from time. Damien Whitehead tapped in after Bobby Mimms spilled Chris Bettney's cross. So the breathless Bank Holiday encounter ended with the first of the five meetings of the MTs not ending in a home win, and both teams still seeking their first win of the new campaign.