The inspirational shot-stopper, who was named Chad Readers’ Player of the Year, was knocked out right on the half-time whistle and had to be helped to the dressing room by his team-mates as aimed to defeat and secure the title. “I remember the first half but the second half passed me by,” said Arnold. “I didn’t have a lot to do in the first half, we were in control of the game.
Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Mansfield and Ashfield Chad, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. “Then right on half-time I went up for a high ball with Billy Ashcroft and I got hit hard. I was seeing stars.
I remember getting helped to the dressing room by Billy McEwan and being really dazed.” But the brave goalkeeper, who went on to play a club record 522 games, took his position between the Mansfield sticks for the second half and turned in yet another valuable contribution as emerged victorious 1-0 to deservedly lift the championship and end the promotion hopes of their Welsh rivals into the bargain. Going into the Racecourse Ground battle, Peter Morris’ men led Brighton by two points and needed a draw to confirm their title-winning credentials, while fourth-placed Wrexham needed a win to overtake Crystal Palace in the final promotion spot.
And it looked like the Welsh side would achieve their dream as they piled on the early pressure to the delight of the passionate home crowd. Advertisement Advertisement But Wr.