Stags were totally on top in the first half after Aaron O'Connor had bagged two goals in four minutes against a poor Vics side and it seemed at that point that the points were all but in the bag

• To watch a video slideshow of match action photos by Chad's Roger Grayson from the 3-2 thriller, click on the green play icon

It has been a long time since the Stags won three home games on the trot and Stags fans had big smiles on their face at the break.

But Mansfield were a huge disappointment after the break, failing to capitalise on their advantage and allowing Northwich back into the game on the hour.

• Billy McEwan post-match reaction

Still there were chances for the home side to wrap it up. But wastefulness in front of goal and sloppy defending continued to encourage the Vics who must have thought they had finally secured a hard-earned point secured when former Stags target Lee Steele levelled four minutes from time.

But veteran striker Stallard, who had already been denied in a one on one with Scott Tynan, was offered another chance which he made no mistake from at the death.

After three games unchanged, injury forced Lee and Blackwood out of the starting line-up.

O'Connor replaced Lee up front while there was a full debut for Hurren in place of Blackwood in midfield.

Stallard was the lone central striker with Arnold on the left and O'Connor on the right pushing on down the wings.

Stags survived an early bouncing ball across the six yard box from a right wing cross and then threatened when Stallard showed good strength to shake off two defenders before pulling a poor low shot wide.

Vics had a chance on 10 minutes as Allan sent a far post header straight at Gamble from Sutton's long cross.

But within seconds Somner should have put Mansfield in front.

Stallard did all the hard work, beating three men as he cut inside from the left with a superb run before rolling the ball into Somner's path. But, from almost on the penalty spot, he stroked his finish wide when he should have scored.

Stags' formation shifted with D'Laryea playing left midfield, Arnold on the right and O'Connor joining Stallard up front.

Stallard was too high with a far post header from Silk's curling ball in on 15 minutes.

Alan did well to pull the defence to the left before laying a good ball back to Crowell but his finish was woefully wide for the visitors.

Stags continued to probe and Arnold won a tackle and jumped between two challenges before finding O'Connor who shot straight at Tynan. Then Stallard got into the box but Welch produced a saving slide tackle as the striker set his sights.

But the home side got the goal they needed to settle themselves down on 25 minutes. Arnold took a short corner on the right to Jeannin who launched it to the far post.

Moses was there to head it back in front of goal and O'Connor got there first to swing in a close range finish.

Four minutes later he doubled his tally to put Mansfield firmly in the driving seat.

Northwich defenders looked at the linesman as O'Connor was allowed to race clear onto Stallard's through ball. No offside was given and he skipped round the helpless keeper before rolling the ball just inside the far post.

More Stags pressure saw Moses put Jeannin in space on the right and his cross was sent wide by a flicked O'Connor header as he looked to complete a quickfire hat trick.

Northwich were offered very little threat though Byrne did get free 20 yards out just before the break but launched the ball well over.

Mansfield had a scare five minutes after the break as they struggled to clear on the byline to the right of goal and Allen eventually got away a low shot which struck O'Hare in front of goal and lifted up and over the target.

The visitors then had to defend two successive home corners while Flynn was booked for a late challenge on Silk.

But O'Hare was lucky to see his sliced clearance go wide of his own goal. And Stamp was not too far way with a firm header from Byrne's corner.

But the same combination proved successful a minute later as Stamp stole in unmarked at the far post to head home another Byrne flag kick.

Arnold had a shot blocked at the other end soon after and then set up Somner for a shot that curled over the far angle as Stags quickly looked to re-establish their two-goal cushion.

Stallard was inches away from getting his head onto a long Arnold free kick.

But there was more danger on 68 minutes as Steele lifted the ball over Gamble on the left by-line and O'Hare had to hook the ball off the line before it bounced in. Still Stags laboured to clear the ball and finally it was bundled wide by Flynn.

Robinson replaced O'Connor and almost made an immediate impact as a block on a low Arnold effort bounced to him but just bobbled at the last minute as he hooked his finish over the top.

A minute later Stallard got away down the left but saw Tynan get his body in the way of his first effort and then brag his second chipped effort out of the air.

It was nervy stuff now as more shaky home defending allowed Steele to turn and shoot goal wards, Gamble making a fairly comfortable save. Then Allan was well over two minutes later as the result remained in doubt.

On 80 minutes Stallard did really well to wrestle his way goalside of Welch. But, having done the hard bit, the ball rolled too near the keeper who was quickly down on it.

But home fans were more worried about the number of half chances Victoria were still created and Allan, with two home players in attendance 20 yards from goal, was allowed to turn and shoot just wide.

Then Steele tried his luck from the same distance off the outside of his right boot but was well wide of the far post.

And with four minutes to go the plucky visitors got their reward as Steele got away a left footed 20 yard finish that curled round Gamble's dive and inside the far post.

It looked like Stags had thrown away two points. But talismanic Stallard popped up in the third minute of stoppage time to grab a crucial winner.

Arnold sent a free kick in from the right which bounced around before Stallard lashed it home from four yards from the right of goal to secure an unlikely win.

STAGS: Gamble, Silk, D'Laryea, Moses, O'Hare, Arnold, Somner, Stallard, Hurren, Jeannin, O'Connor (Robinson 70). Subs not used: Herriott, Wood, Shaw, Trimmer.

NORTHWICH: Tynan (Aspin 57), Sutton, Brown, Welch, Roberts, Cromwell (Mullen 33), Byrne, Flynn, Williams (Steele 57), Stamp, Allan. Subs not used: Jones, Bailey.

REFEREE: P. Davison.

ATTENDANCE: 2,741 (148 away).

CHAD STAGS MAN OF THE MATCH: Aaron O'Connor.