Match gallery: Mansfield Town 3 Crewe 0
New boy Yoann Arquin gave Stags the perfect start with a fifth minute goal, and when Ben Whiteman made it 2-0 just after half-time it seemed likely a side with just two wins in 20 games might wilt.
Instead they threw everything at it with a gutsy display and caused scares, but Mansfield held firm with Kyle Howkins immaculate in the centre.
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Hide AdRhys Bennett, who had missed two earlier chances, then finally made the points safe with six minutes to go with the third.
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