Jon Challinor starred as Mansfield Town put four past Tamworth in a goal glut at The Lamb this afternoon.

Challinor's pin-point long throws set up two and his accurate pass assisted the fourth to end Tamworth's 11 match unbeaten run.

The division's form side last lost in early December and they were put off their stride by a Mansfield team who ended the run of three straight defeats.

In a lively encounter, Midfielder Kyle Nix snatched a cross-cum shot inside the opening two minutes after Rob Duffy rose high to win the flick on.

On 11 minutes, Nix went down under a challenge on the edge of the 'D'.  But the same player slammed the free kick against the wall.

Stags did well in the early stages and used the flanks to good effect, but no one could connect with the final ball into the area.

Then came the first of three goals in the space of five minutes.

With 17 gone, Mansfield unlocked the floodgate of goals when Jon Challinor's right wing throw was flicked on to the unmarked Rob Duffy, whose well placed shot beat Danny Alcock at his near post.

But it didn't take the home side long to respond as they levelled the match two minutes later.

Tom Shaw, one of three ex-Stags players in the home line up, whipped in a dangerous cross into the six yard box and the unchallenged Michael Wylde headed in at the near post.

Within the blink of an eye, Jon Shaw put the Stags back ahead.

Duffy again won the flick on and Shaw claimed his second goal in five days after volleying home from 15 yards.

Goalscorer Rob Duffy was then yellow carded after a reckless tackle, according to the referee.  It was the only blot on an otherwise impressive game by the Welshman.

Stags almost added a third through the most bizarre of circumstances.  Under no pressure outside his own penalty area, Tamworth defender Michael Wylde hit a terribly mis-placed backpass which flew past goalkeeper Danny Alcock, who fortunately for the home side, did well to run back and clear before the ball went over the line.

Strikers Kyle Perry and Rob Duffy headed over following two Gary Mills' corners as Stags pushed for a third.

But their reward came two minutes from half time, as a result of another long throw by Challinor.  As the ball came out to Andy Nicholas, the left back on loan from Rotherham, struck a sweet left foot effort into the bottom corner to send the 646 fans into raptures.

A minute later, Alan Marriott had to be alert at his near post to keep out a well-struck Bradley Pritchard effort

Kyle Perry tried to register his name on the scoresheet, shooting ambitiously from 35 yards, with the last attemptof an action packed first half.

The second period was equally enthralling and a battle to the end.

Tamworth's Iysden Christie, once a hero at Field Mill, hit a snap shot from a tight angle just two minutes into the second half.

The home side pulled a goal back five minutes into the second period.

Substitute James Murdock brought the ball down well inside the area.  After twisting and turning he planted the ball beyond Marriott to reduce the deficit.

Tom Shaw then brushed off Gary Mills and skipped past Gary Silk before forcing Marriott to tip wide at his near post as Tamworth tried to up the ante.

Blair Sturrock took the field with 55 minutes gone, replacing Kyle Perry..

Sturrock , famous as a clever player at this level, showed a superb first touch, holding it well on the by line.  His subsequent cross was almost perfect for the onrushing Rob Duffy, but Tamworth managed to snuff out the move.

The seemingly ever-present Tom Shaw entered the referee's book after cynically clipping Gary Mills after good work from the midfielder.

Kyle Nix was then applauded off the pitch as he made way for Michael Brough.

Stags may have wrapped up the game earlier than they did through star man Jon Challinor.

With Tamworth in the Stags' half, Mansfield launched a swift counter attack, led by Gary Mills.

Mills, on his return to the Lamb, laid a perfect ball to the advancing Jon Challinor. With the goalkeeper committed, a Tamworth defender did just enough to put off the ex-Cambridge man, whose shot sailed inches past the post.

Tamworth had their goalkeeper to thank when Jon Shaw struck ferociously from close range but Alcock stood large to deny the striker.

With 13 minutes left to go, Neil MacKenzie came on for Tom Shaw in the middle of midfield.

Five minutes later, Christie held the ball well in the area and turned to shoot straight at Marriott.

Marriott had to claw away a diving header from short range after Neil MacKenzie whipped in a telling free kick from the left.

Moments later, Stags had the woodwork to thank after Michel Wylde's header came back off the cross bar following a corner.

But after surviving some nervy moments, Stags advanced to seal a deserved win with Challinor again the brains behind the goal.

The ex Cambridge man was fouled in midfield after a good run, but the ball fell to Sturrock, and after a good advantage by the referee, the composed Sturrock cut inside to shoot on his left foot to make sure of the win.

His subsequent celebration was of sheer joy, as the intelligent forward registered his first goal for the club.

Bradley Pritchard hit a late effort from distance, but by then it was too late.

It was a crucial victory, of which Stags were worthy winners.

Now they will look to repeat the feat in their two next home games, equally as vital, against promotion rivals Rushden and York.