Lincoln City 4 Mansfield Town 1

Last updated : 13 March 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Lincoln left Mansfield's defence in tatters as they destroyed their promotion rivals with a superb second half display.

The Stags looked to be in control after taking a first half lead from the penalty spot.

But they collapsed after the break in the face of a Lincoln onslaught and the game was decided in a 16 minute spell in which the Imps slammed home three goals.

Mansfield began confidently but wasted a excellent 16th minute chance when midfielder Tom Curtis shot wide of an empty net.

Rhys Day had a header tipped over by Lincoln keeper Alan Marriott.

Then Iyseden Christie got the ball in the net only for his effort to be ruled out for offside. Town finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with a spot kick from Liam Lawrence after the highly rated midfielder was chopped in the box.

Second half was a different story once Gary Fletcher netted his 13th goal of the season to put City level.

Fletcher quickly added a second when he beat three defenders before firing home from 25 yards.

Lincoln put the result beyond doubt in the 71st minute when Francis Green was sent clear of the Town defence and lobbed his shot over keeper Kevin Pilkington.

Lincoln's new central defender Jamie McCombe struck the bar before City grabbed their fourth goal in the final minute. The Mansfield defence was caught out and Simon Yeo went clear to score.

Mansfield Manager Keith Curle said afterwards: "In the second half our back four looked as if it had never played together. We've got a soft centre and when the chips were down we just didn't have enough. Lincoln exposed us at the back and in midfield and made us pay." Lincoln Manager Keith Alexander said "I thought we were unlucky to go in behind at half time. But we are always likely to score as we play with three men up front. It was an excellent victory."