MANSFIELD ended a 10-game run of home matches without a league win by mounting a second half offensive against Wrexham that saw them score twice in three minutes and in doing so make the Welshmen's chances of staying up even less likely.

It was heartbreaking period after the break as first a penalty by Jefferson Louis and then a low shot from John Mullins put them in command.

Substitute Marc William gave us some hope when finishing from close range, but in the end it was not enough.

Stuart Nicholson was given he nod up front instead of Michael Proctor, with Neil Roberts back in midfield and Mike Williams returning at left back. Danny Williams made a welcome return on the bench as the boss opted for five outfielder substitutes.

Mansfield enjoyed the first chance of the game when a cross found Michael Boulding in front of goal, but his header from six-yards was held under his cross bar by Gavin Ward.

With seven minutes on the clock, Drewe Broughton had room on the edge of the home penalty area to let fire a rasping shot that was always wide, although not too far off target.

Gareth Evans then picked up the ball in defence fed it forward to Paul Hall, who picked out Broughton down the left hand channel, allowing the big striker to take it in his stride and force a flying save from Stags' keeper Carl Muggleton

From a follow up corner Neil Roberts rose high on the edge of the six yard box to plant a header which was only just wide of the near post.

On 20 minutes, a good ball to the Mansfield left allowed John Mullins to turn inside Simon Spender, before hitting a low shot that was scrambled away.

Then at the opposite end of the pitch, the Reds created a good build-up which ended with Hall firing a rising and curling effort that was a just a yard over the target.

A Wrexham free kick, 20-yards into the Mansfield half, saw Hall play a one-two with Spender to get round the back of a static defence, but his driven cross was cut out for a throw in.

With half an hour played, a Sam Aiston throw from the left was headed down by Broughton in the box and back to Chris Llewellyn, who from 18-yards fired wide of the keeper's left hand post, which Muggleton won't have got to had it been inside his woodwork.

A Hall corner on 34 minutes saw the wind drive the ball back under the Mansfield cross bar, which Muggleton was relieved to hold at the second attempt.

The Stags went to the other end of the pitch, where Jonathan D'Laryea beat Llewellyn and knocked onto Stephen Dawson, who from 20-yards flashed a shot which was only inches wide of Ward's right hand post.

There were screams for a penalty on 40 minutes, when Boulding went down in the box, but the referee was unimpressed and waved play on with Spender clearing the danger as the play switched from end-to-end.

After Llewellyn's 50-yard pass sent Spender away on the right in the seconds before the break, there was a mad scramble in the home box before Hall's shot was blocked by Broughton and the danger was cleared.

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The second half began in hectic style was first there were shouts for a penalty, the home fans saying they spotted Spender's hand had touched the ball following a high free kick into the box, then at the other end Broughton headed down for Hall, but his shot was blocked.

Then four minutes after the restart, the referee ignored jumping on the Wrexham defence but did see Gareth Evans punching the ball away when on the ground and pointed to the spot.

After much debate, up stepped Jefferson Louis to send Ward the wrong way and the home supporters wild.

The Stags were lifted by the goal and soon afterwards Hamshaw crossed from the right, the ball being met by Boulding, but he fired into the seats.

On 55 minutes, the visitors' defence was breeched again as Boulding played in John Mullins who came round Mike Williams and fired a shot across Ward into the net.

A Mansfield free kick by Hamshaw saw the ball evade everyone in the Wrexham box, with Ward seemingly surprised it reached him. The same two players were involved two minutes later with a hanging effort that Ward caught high but almost rolled over his own line.

It was all one-way traffic with Mansfield using the wind to their advantage, Jake Buxton heading on target and then Boulding almost taking advantage of some hesitancy.

A double substitution on 65 minutes saw Michael Proctor and Danny Williams introduced for Neil Roberts and Paul Hall. This was Danny's first senior appearance since going off just before half time at Macclesfield in mid-October.

The final throw of the dice saw Marc Williams on for Broughton with 19 minutes left on the clock.

Buxton was once again given a free header from a set piece, although this time he put the ball straight into Ward's hands on the line.

On 78 minutes, Wrexham earned them a lifeline when Stuart Nicholson fired a low shot that Muggleton managed to palm away but only into the path of Marc Williams, who fired home from four yards.

The Dragons defence then survived a double scare when first Ward saved with one hand and then Spender blocked the follow up.

Despite four minutes of added time, Mansfield managed to see out the remaining moments and to the strains of 'The Great Escape' the Wrexham players trudged back to their dressing room.

Mansfield Town: Carl Muggleton, John Mullins, Jake Buxton, Alex Baptiste, Gareth Jelleyman, Matty Hamshaw (Keith Briggs 87), Jonathan D'Laryea, Stephen Dawson, Nathan Arnold, Michael Boulding (Kevin Horlock 90), Jefferson Louis (Rory Boulding 88).
Subs: Jason White, Simon Brown.

Wrexham: Gavin Ward, Simon Spender, Gareth Evans, Phil Bolland, Neil Roberts (Michael Proctor 65), Chris Llewellyn, Paul Hall (Danny Williams 65), Sam Aiston, Drewe Broughton (Marc Williams 71), Stuart Nicholson.
Subs: Richard Hope, Matty Done.

Referee: Nigel Miller (Durham)
Attendance: 3,435
Away: 601