Second-half goals from George Maris and Davis Keillor-Dunn handed Mansfield a 2-0 victory at Stockport in the battle of League Two’s top two.
Thanks to a win in a game marred by a sickening head injury suffered by Stockport defender Kyle Knoyle in the second half, the Stags moved to within just two points of the leaders.
Stockport threatened early on when Odin Bailey was inches away from meeting Paddy Madden’s cross into the six-yard box. Ibou Touray then drilled a low shot just past the far post.
Early Mansfield substitute Lucas Akins saw a shot deflected behind, but back came the hosts with Callum Camps firing straight at a grateful Christy Pym.
Shortly before the break another Stags sub – Louis Reed – saw a strike pushed onto the outside of a post by a brilliant Ben Hinchliffe save.
The Stags made no mistake four minutes after the restart when Maris dived in to head home Ollie Clarke’s precise cross.
Stockport almost replied when Camps’ shot was hacked off the line by Stephen McLaughlin, before substitute Keillor-Dunn slotted home to wrap up victory in the 102nd minute.
