Stags crashed 4-0 as they made it eight defeats and a draw in nine games at Field Mill to remain in the bottom two relegation spots.

And after the match it was announced that Dearden and the club had mutually agreed to part company with a successor to be announced before Tuesday's home game against Hereford.

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Home fans were leaving the stadium as early as the 55th minute as Stags went 3-0 down on one of the blackest days in memory at the Mill with chants of 'Dearden out' for the first time at the end from the furious and long-suffering home supporters.

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Mansfield created very little against a side that had just lost five of its previous six games and were often outplayed and outfought, looking a beaten side after the blow of conceding a second straight after the half time break.

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It was certainly an afternoon to treasure for Rochdale skipper Gary Jones who netted twice on his new club record 346th appearance.

Stags made two changes with John-Baptiste back for the first time since 22nd December after shaking off a long-term back problem and Dawson returning from illness.

D'Laryea made way for Dawson's return in midfield while Mullins moved to right back to accommodate John-Baptiste, youngster Wood dropping to the bench.

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Ramsden went on a strong midfield run in the second minute, carrying the ball 40 yards before Mullins made the tackle just outside the box before he could try a finish.

The visitors then comfortable cleared Stags' first corner at the Quarry Lane End.

A dangerous run by ex-Stag Rundle saw him play a one-two with Jones to get into the box where again Mullins came up with a vital challenge.

Mansfield's best raid so far on 14 minutes saw Hamshaw and Mullins work the ball to Louis. He laid it off to Briggs whose shot was blocked by team mate Boulding who was unable to then get away a follow-up.

Buxton conceded an unnecessary free kick which saw Perkins find Higginbotham on the right wing and his low cross to the near post was turned wide by Howe who should have hit the target from six yards.

A great break by Atkinson ended with him laying the ball off to Hamshaw whose attempted low cross resulted in only a corner at the end of what was a highly promising attack.

But the visitors went ahead with a soft goal on 27 minutes. Jelleyman's failure to clear saw Higginbotham find Howe on the right by-line. And he danced through two tackles before rolling the ball in low for Jones to sweep home from seven yards.

Stags immediately won two corners and, from the second, Briggs' header looked destined for the net but was cleared off the line by Rundle.

Jelleyman and Higginbotham needed treatment for a clash of heads and then Stanton went down after a challenge with Louis and left the field holding his eye to be replaced by Holness.

Two minutes from the break Louis lifted a half volley wide from 25 yards, then Higginbotham headed wide at the far post from a Kennedy cross.

Briggs was a couple of feet wide from 30 yards as we entered stoppage time of a largely turgid half.

It was all change at the break for Mansfield as Jelleyman was withdrawn. D'Laryea came on to play centre midfield with Briggs moving to right back, Mullins to centre half and Buxton to right back.

But the reshuffled defence was breached inside the first 90 seconds after the restart.

Rundle crossed to the near post from the left where John-Baptiste and Muggleton looked on as Le Fondre coolly applied the finishing touch.

Higginbotham forced Muggleton to dive onto a swirling low near post shot seconds later and soon after had another chance but completely miskicked as the ball came across him.

Worse was to come for Mansfield as a Rundle free kick was only headed away as far as Jones on the edge of the box and the Dale veteran slotted home a superb low finish through a crowd of players which signalled an exit of a number of home fans just 10 minutes into the second half.

Clearly short of fitness, John-Baptiste was replaced by Arnold on 65 minutes.

But two minutes later Muggleton was picking the ball out of the home net once more.

Le Fondre's flick put Howe clear down the centre and he rounded Muggleton before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Briggs limped off to leave the defence further depleted, Wood coming on.

Muggleton did well to clutch a fierce Rundle blast that threatened to fly in under the near angle.

Louis was relieved to only be booked after a hefty tackle on Rundle on 74 minutes.

Boulding scuffed a chance over the bar from almost on the penalty spot after Atkinson's deflected cross had reached him.

It should have been five on 82 minutes when a low Rundle cross found Muirhead unmarked at the back. But the ball was somehow kept out by a combination of Muggleton and the near post.

A Boulding flick gave Louis sight of goal four minutes from time in the six yard box but it summed up the Stags' afternoon when the big striker's scuffed finish went out for a throw and not a goal kick.

Wood did well to block a Rundle shot as the winger tried to add his name to the score sheet.

STAGS: Muggleton, Mullins, Jelleyman (J. D'Laryea ht), Hamshaw, Dawson, M. Boulding, Buxton, John-Baptiste (Arnold 65), Louis, Atkinson, Briggs (Wood 69). Subs not used: White, Holmes.

ROCHDALE: Spencer, Ramsden, Kennedy, Stanton (Holness 41), Jones (Muirhead 69), Le Fondre, Rundle, Perkins, Higginbotham (Basham 69), McArdle, Howe. Subs not used: N. D'Laryea, Buckley.

REFEREE: Paul Armstrong of Berkshire.

ATTENDANCE: 2,351.