Match report: Mansfield Town 5 Notts County 0

Stags ripped County apart in the second half as they built on a fragile 1-0 half-time lead to do the double over their neighbours.

Mansfield faded after a bright opening and had dined out with Lady Luck with County, and Izale McLeod in particular, guilty of some very wasteful finishing.

But Stags showed their visitors no charity as they clinically ripped the Notts rearguard to shreds to wrap up three potentially vital points.

Matt Green got the rout underway with his 15th goal of the season after six minutes to put Stags ahead.

County should have levelled during a dominant first half with Izale McLeod, Thierry Audel, Liam Noble and Jon Stead all wasting chances.

They proved costly misses as Mansfield doubled their lead on 57 minutes when Adam Chapman hit home a scorching free-kick from the edge of the box.

It got even better for the home side three minutes later when Matt Green bagged a brace after getting goal-side and slotting cooly past Scott Loach.

Reggie Lambe made it 4-0 on 67 minutes after a super run and cross from Matty Blair down the right flank gave him a simple tap-in.

Mansfield rubbed further salt in the wounds with seven minutes to go when Mitchell Rose tapped home after Scott Loach spilled a shot into his path.

The defeat was Mark Cooper’s first since taking charge of Notts County.

Mansfield got off to the perfect start when Matt Green rifled home his 15th goal of the season after just six minutes.

It was the perfect reward for a confident start by the home side, which saw Stags push County on to the back foot.

Thierry Audel failed to connect with a header before Jon Stead lashed a wild effort into the Quarry Lane stand five minutes later.

Izale McLeod fired straight at Scott Shearer on 21 minutes as County responded well to falling behind.

Stags, at times, were their own worst enemy as they continued to squander possession too often and too easily.

Mcleod should have done better when he headed Liam Nobles cross over after he had beaten his marker on 34 minutes.

Liam Noble shot just wide after bursting into the box after Daniel Alfei gifted possession to County.

Mansfield started better in the second half with Matty Blair drawing a save from Scott Loach on 50 minutes after Green and Mani Dieseruvwe caused bother in the box.

Mal Benning flicked the ball to safety from his own goal line after Stead’s trickery created the opening.

Seconds later McLeod again headed wide when he should have hit the target as Notts upped the pressure once more.

But Mansfield doubled their lead when Adam Chapman hit a scorching free-kick into the top corner from the edge of the box on 57 minutes.

It got even better three minutes later when Matt Green bagged a brace after getting goal-side and slotting cooly past Loach.

Reggie Lambe made it 4-0 on 67 minutes after a super run and cross from Matty Blair gave him a simple tap-in.

It was a perfect lesson in clinical finishing as Mansfield exploited gaps at the back to rip the shell-shocked visitors open.

Reggie Lambe made it 4-0 on 67 minutes after a super run and cross from Matty Blair gave him a simple tap-in.

It was a perfect lesson in clinical finishing as Mansfield exploited gaps at the back to rip the shell-shocked visitors open.

Mansfield rubbed further salt in the wounds with seven minutes to go when Mitchell Rose tapped home after Scott Loach spilt a shot into his path.

Mansfield Town (4-4-2): Shearer 5, Benning 7, Collins 7, Tafazolli 7, Alfei 6, Lambe 6 (McGuire 78 5), Blair 7, Chapman 7, Thomas 6 (Baxendale 84 5) , Dieseruvwe 6 (Rose 54 5), Green 8.

Subs not used: Jensen, Rose, Beardsley, Daniel, Yussuf.

Entertainment value: 4 out of 5

Notts County (4-1-2-1-2): Loach 5, Audel 6, Hollis 7, Edwards 6 (Amevor 68), Hewitt 6, Aborah 7, Noble 7, Valencic 6, Atkinson 5, McLeod 5 (Gibson 63 6), Stead 5 (Campbell 63 5).

Subs not used: Carroll, Smith, Sarpong, Wildin.

Entertainment value 2 out of 5

Referee: Geoff Eltringham.

Attendance: 6,357.

Man of the match: Matt Green.