Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Saturday, February 14, 2026, 8:16 p.m. / Updated Saturday, February 14, 2026, 8:16 p.m.
Mansfield Town beat Premier League side Burnley to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in more than half a century.
Mid-table Mansfield in League 3 arrived at Turf Moor on the back of a five-game winless run but came back impressively from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory.
Mansfield Town, surprise in the FA Cup
English Third Division side Mansfield Town bounced back to beat Premier League strugglers Burnley 2-1 to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1975.
Burnley went into the match in excellent form after their first Premier League win since October against Crystal Palace in midweek, but manager Scott Parker made nine changes on what was a thrilling afternoon.
The Premier League side took the lead after 20 minutes through Laurent, who showed brilliant composure in the box to beat Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
Rhys Oates equalized with a 53rd-minute header and Louis Reed capped an excellent individual performance with a brilliant free-kick 10 minutes from time.
Louis Reed / Imago Images
This result comes after Mansfield Town beat Sheffield United 4-3 in the previous round of the competition, a team that has been a regular presence in the Premier League in recent seasons.
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Burnley chairman Alan Pace has called for fans' “anger and frustration” to be turned into vocal support in a sign that all is not well at the club. The stadium was half full, leading to a pre-season atmosphere for James Ward-Prowse's home debut.
