AFC easily beat lowly Welbeck

A hat-trick from Dean Rick, one from Danny Wiltshire and an own goal from Alistair Jones did the damage with Ashley Farqurson the lone Welbeck marksman.

The Bulls could have taken the lead in the first five minutes when a rash challenge by keeper Julian Stevens on Rick saw the first penalty of the game.

But Rick hit the post despite sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Rick made amends with his second penalty on 13 minutes firing past Stevens after he was upended again in the box.

The lead was short lived, the visitors switched off at the back and Ashley Farqurson took full advantage to blast his shot past Sheppard after 18 minutes.

The Bulls regained the lead after 32 minutes. Danny Wiltshire released Carl Haslam down the left flank and the winger went past two players with ease.

His rasping drive was parried by Stevens only to see the ball cannon off defender Alistair Jones and end up in the back of the net.

Wiltshire saw his effort blocked on 34 minutes and a minute later turned provider for Rick who sliced his shot wide of the far post.

Dean Rick found the target four minutes into the restart, weaving past three defenders in the box before firing a low drive under the advancing Stevens.

Rick completed his hat-trick on 53 minutes latching onto a Danny Naylor through ball and drilling th ball past Stevens.

More missed chances followed before man of the match Carl Haslam raced clear and thundered a shot against the crossbar.

Two minutes later he turned provider racing down the right flank and delivering a pin point cross for Danny Wiltshire to volley home for the fifth goal.

Wiltshire was guilty of missing a couple of chances, both created by Haslam runs. Hitting the side netting with one and heading over the bar with the other.

In the dying minutes Danny Naylor saw one effort well saved by Stevens and another volley from 20 yards shave the crossbar as AFC Mansfield looked to increase their lead.

AFC Mansfield are on their travels again in midweek when they visit Newark Town on Wednesday night. A win will see the bulls go back to the top of the league.

Welbeck Welfare: Stevens, Rowan, Middlekoop (Simpson C 55), Twyning (Wass 67), Brudzinski, Jones A (Simpson B 82), Taylor (c), Fletcher, Farqurson, Kemp, Savage. Subs not used: Blake & Jones H.

AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, McGurk, Tighe, Timons (c), Holmes, Bettison, Cantrell (Buxton 50), Naylor J (Naylor D 49), Rick (McCann 58), Wiltshire, Haslam. Subs not used: Clarke & Rodger.

Referee: Mr Martin Fryer

Assistants: Mr Andy Richardson & Mr Andy Harland

Man of the Match: Carl Haslam