Stephen Quinn and Lucas Akins netted in either half as Stags started their festive fixture schedule with a deserved 2-0 win at Sutton.

Mansfield had other chances to claim the victory by a bigger margin, while at the other end, goalkeeper Christy Pym produced a magnificent save late on in the first-half.

It sets Stags up perfectly for a busy Christmas schedule which sees them welcome Grimsby to One Call Stadium on Boxing Day, followed by the visit of Doncaster three days later and a trip to league leaders Stockport on New Year’s Day.

Boss Nigel Clough made one change from last Saturday’s 3-1 win at Crawley as midfielder Stephen Quinn returned to the starting XI, with forward Rhys Oates moved to the substitutes’ bench.
As the game ticked over nine minutes, Stags’ left-back Jordan Bowery registered the game’s first shot when he rifled over the bar from inside the D.

Mansfield were dominating possession and forward Lucas Akins was next to try his luck with a low effort from outside the area, but Sutton goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis comfortably gathered.

Inevitably, given Stags’ pressure, Nigel Clough’s men eventually broke the deadlock on 25 minutes.

Callum Johnson, on the right flank, delivered a sensational deep cross into the goal area and Stephen Quinn ghosted in to brilliantly head home from a tight angle at the back post.

On the half-hour, midfielder Ollie Clarke lashed a pot shot off target as Stags continued in the ascendancy.

Mansfield came close to doubling their lead two minutes later when Davis Keillor-Dunn curled a 25-yard strike against the top of the bar and with four first-half minutes remaining Bowery saw his strike from the edge of the box blocked.

Sutton almost grabbed an unlikely leveller near the end of the first period, in the first meaningful attack, but Stags had goalkeeper Christy Pym to thank.

Towering frontman Harry Smith connected with an inviting left-wing cross, but Pym readjusted to superbly fingertip the header over the bar.

The hosts made a double change at the break, however, Mansfield were again on the front foot and Keillor-Dunn almost saw his name in lights as his bending effort flew narrowly beyond the left post.

Sutton missed a real chance on 50 minutes.

After a cross to the edge of the Stags’ goal area, Smith connected first time, but smacked the attempt over the bar.

Back at the other end, defender Baily Cargill tried an audacious hit from the edge of the area, following a corner, which flew off target.

On the hour, Stags built up steam on the right flank and Keillor-Dunn played a driven ball across the face of goal, but no-one was able to connect and the home side cleared.

Keillor-Dunn was determined to find a goal and Bouzanis had to beat away his 25-yard free-kick while at the other end, substitute Dion Pereira arrowed a ferocious shot onto the roof of the net.

On 70 minutes, Keillor-Dunn made way for Louis Reed and Stephen McLaughlin was introduced for Quinn.

Stags sealed the victory on 75 minutes as frontman Lucas Akins netted his ninth goal of the season.

The advancing forward latched on to a fine low pass from George Maris before smashing into the back of the net off the underside of the bar.

It was his last act of the encounter as Akins was replaced by Rhys Oates on 78 minutes.

Another double change was made on 88 minutes as Ollie Clarke – on a yellow card – and Callum Johnson were replaced by Will Swan and George Williams.

Stags professionally managed the closing stages and for Sutton, bereft of confidence, the outcome was beyond doubt.

SUTTON: Bouzanis, Jackson, Kizzi, Hart, Milsom (Angol 78), Coley (O’Brien HT), N’Guessan (Pereira HT), Beautyman, Clay (Fadahunsi 78), Patrick, Smith

UNUSED SUBS: Arnold, Gape

STAGS: Pym, Johnson (Swan 88), Flint, Cargill, Bowery, Brunt, Clarke (Williams 88), Quinn (McLaughlin 70), Maris, Keillor-Dunn (Reed 70), Akins (Oates 78)

UNUSED SUBS: Flinders, Macdonald

REFEREE: Alex Chilowicz

ATTENDANCE: 2,762 (422 Stags’ fans)