Mansfield Town rewarded their long-travelling supporters with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 victory away at the Broadfield Stadium, Crawley.

177 of the Stags faithful made the long trip down to Sussex and were treated to a fine display by their heroes, whose performance increased several levels from last week's draw away to Forest Green.

The game was cast into doubt hours before it commenced, with amazon-like conditions surrounding the whole of Sussex.

But fortunately, the conditions improved as the afternoon progressed, and it was Mansfield who adapted better out of the two.

Stags won the first corner of the match following neat build up play from Matt Somner, returning to the line up and Jake Speight, playing on the right side of midfield, and it was that which led to the game's opening goal.

Ryan Williams drifted in the first corner from the right and the unmarked Luke Jones tried to poke it home from close range, but his effort was forced wide.

Crawley's defence were then guilty of ball watching from the second flag kick.

With 11 minutes on the clock, Jones, again unmarked, drove it goalwards and fellow defender Scott Garner helped it on only to see it cleared off the line.  But Jake Speight was on hand to slam it into the net from only a few yards.

The first half saw few goalscoring chances, but it was Stags who looked the more inventive of the two sides.

On 25 minutes, Mansfield broke away on the edge of their box after Crawley wasted a free kick.Kyle Perry flicked it on to Speight who turned well before advancing and releasing it to Blair Sturrock on the edge of the box.Sturrock, who had started brightly, curled his drive at Simon Rayner in the Crawley goal.

Four minutes later, Crawley tried to break the offside trap, but Ben Smith was flagged as he tried to find a way past the defence.

On 34 minutes, Crawley's Danny Forrest latched onto a pass on the left, and cut inside before flashing a low drive just wide of Alan Marriott's left hand post.

With three minutes left to play, the ever-tenacious Ryan Williams blasted a free kick into the wall.  Paul Heckingbottom picked up the loose ball and smashed it goalwards, with defender Scott Garner getting the faintest of touches, before it flew wide.

Stags should have been 2-0 up in the first minute of stoppage time.Jake Speight sent through a beautifully weighted through ball to Kyle Perry through the middle.But the burly forward's second touch was poor and it fell into the grateful arms of Rayner.

Crawley made a double change at half time to try and change their fortunes, but if failed to pay off.  Goalkeeper Nick Jordan replaced Simon Rayner, who had taken a knock, and Michael Malcolm came on for Barry Cogan.

The hosts showed more urgency going forward in short bursts during the second half and Stags had Matt Somner to thank when he headed off the line only two minutes in to the second half.

On 57 minutes, Speight went on a surging run before unleashing a shot which forced Jordan into a full stretch save.

Six minutes later Ryan Williams drifted in a superb pass to the onrushing Kyle Perry, but Jordan just did enough and got there ahead of the Stags' frontman.

Mansfield were then reduced to ten men with 20 minutes played after Matt Somner was sent off for two yellow cards in the space of three minutes.  The first was debatable and the second was hugely disputable.

Stags, however, refused to buckle and they played with the appearance of a numerical advantage, which infact their hosts were privileged to.

It meant a change in midfield personnel, as Stevie Istead came off the bench to replace Blair Sturrock.

Victory was sealed on 75 minutes through their most experienced player.

Paul Heckingbottom hit a sweet low curling free kick round the wall and past Jordan to make certain of the win.

It all came after a counter attack instigated by Ryan Williams after Crawley lost possession with large numbers high in the Stags half.

Williams struck into the side netting with eight minutes left, after an assist from Steven Istead.

Man of the Match contender Jake Speight then left the field to be replaced captain Gary Mills, who had been left out of the 11 at the start of play.

Two minutes later, Rob Duffy, also dropped to the bench, came on for Kyle Perry.