A rampant Peterborough United took a huge step towards Second Division safety with a 5-1 win at Mansfield Town who are now even closer to the relegation trap door.
Two goals in five minutes just before half-time put Peterborough in control at 3-1 ahead and leading scorer Andy Clarke wrapped up their first victory in six games eight minutes from time.
The impressive Matthew Gill was the goal maker for the third time, releasing Clarke with a great pass and the striker thumped in his 17th goal of the season.
Substitute Andrew Fotiadis tapped in David Farrell's low cross in injury time to leave the Stags without a win in three games and staring relegation in the face.
Mansfield had rarely threatened a second half fight-back, creating just two chances in total. In the 64th minute Craig Disley's looping header was tipped over and eight minutes later Liam Lawrence's overhead kick was comfortably saved.
To make matters worse for the home side central defender Rhys Day, who had been sent off less than 24 hours earlier for Wales’ Under-21s, was stretchered off four minutes from time as the Stags finished with 10 men.
The pace of Posh strikers Clarke and Leon McKenzie had caused the home defence numerous problems in the opening stages.
After four minutes a clever exchange of passes between the front men put McKenzie free, but he blazed over from a tight angle.
Four minutes later there was no escape for the nervous home defence when the unmarked Simon Rea headed in Gill's corner.
The lead lasted just seven minutes before Mansfield levelled against the run of play.
Referee Alan Kaye surprised everyone in the ground by giving a handball against Rea and Wayne Corden tucked in his third penalty in four games.
However, Peterborough remained in control and another fine cross from Gill eight minutes before half-time picked out the unmarked McKenzie to head in his fourth goal of the season.
And the Posh virtually sealed victory before the interval when Ian Hendon's cross from the byline was deflected over the keeper and into the roof of the net.