Mansfield Town made it 16 league games unbeaten as first-half goals from Jordan Bowery and Davis Keillor-Dunn secured a deserved 2-1 win at Salford.

It was another hard-fought victory for Nigel Clough’s men who had other chances to add to their goal tally.

The Amber and Blue also had goalkeeper Christy Pym to thank, who kept Salford out with two top class saves in either half.

The win sees Stags surge into the top three in Sky Bet League Two, behind top placed Stockport and Wrexham.

Stags’ striker Rhys Oates was presented with an opening inside the second minute when he intercepted a rash throw from Salford goalkeeper Alex Cairns, before being driven wide by a home defender and win a corner.

Three minutes later, Salford’s in-form striker Matt Smith nodded over their first chance following a cross from the right flank.

On seven minutes, Stags’ midfielder Aaron Lewis swept a 20-yard free-kick into area, however, defender Lewis Brunt was unable to connect at the back stick and the opportunity went begging.

Stags started brightly and after beating the offside trap, the electric Oates forced another shot at goal, this time striking against a defender to earn another corner.

Salford were struggling to handle Oates and the forward side-footed into the side netting on the stretch from Aden Flint’s fine searching pass to the goal area as Mansfield started in the ascendency.

The Stags’ defensive wall did its job on 17 minutes, denying Stevie Mallan’s ferocious free-kick from just outside the box.

Only two minutes later, Stags were ahead.

Jordan Bowery latched onto an excellent midfield pass and after cutting into the box, the forward curled home a lovely finish on his right foot.

However, just three minutes later Salford were level when Ryan Watson crossed into the box for Smith to head beyond Pym.

As the game ticked past the hour, midfielder Louis Reed was shown the game’s first yellow card for a high foot.

Stags were back in front on 37 minutes when Callum Johnson sent a dangerous right-wing ball into the goal area, and Davis Keillor-Dunn did the rest from close range.

Pym then produced an extraordinary save to keep Mansfield’s lead intact.

Salford delivered from the flank and Matthew Lund looked certain to score from 12 yards, but Pym showed great agility to keep out the attempt.

As the game approached half-time, Stags’ left-back Calum Macdonald was shown a yellow card for a foul on Ethan Ingram.

In the last kick of the half, Oates sent the Salford defence into sixes and sevens, weaving majestically beyond four defenders to fire at Cairns who had to claim at the second attempt.

Less than a minute after the break, Pym got down routinely to keep out Mallan’s strike as Salford sought a leveller.

On 51 minutes, Lund might have done better as he headed wide at the near post following a home corner.

Salford tried to apply pressure but Stags were soon back down the other end and Bowery was denied by Cairns - with a right-footed effort - after being fed by Johnson shortly before the hour mark.

Mansfield missed a golden opportunity on 64 minutes.

Reed played a neat pass into the box for Maris, who burst into the area to round the goalkeeper. But his touch was too heavy, preventing the midfielder from unleashing a strike at goal. 

Garbutt whacked a 26 yard free-kick well off target and Pym was needed for Mansfield on 79 to keep out Conor McAleny’s 20 yard strike with a superb one handed stop.

Boss Nigel Clough made his first change on 82 minutes as Hiram Boateng took the place of Davis Keillor-Dunn.

Salford were still chasing an equaliser and Kelly Nmai headed over from eight yards after a left-wing cross.

On 87, Oates embarked on a darting run before being hacked down by Curtis Tilt who received a yellow card before Aaron Lewis’ subsequent free-kick clipped the top of the wall.

Macdonald was then replaced by Baily Cargill as the game approached the final minute of normal time.

In stoppage time, James Gale replaced Rhys Oates, while Louis Reed made way for George Williams.

And Stags professionally kept out Salford before celebrating with the 1,173 Stags’ supporters at full-time.

SALFORD: Cairns, Shephard (McLennan, 46), Ingram, Tilt, John, Garbutt, Watt, Watson, Mallan (Nmai, 69), Lund (McAleny, 69), Smith

UNUSED SUBS: Wright, Dackers, Pedro, Humbles

STAGS: Pym, Johnson, Flint, Brunt, Macdonald (Cargill 89), Reed (Williams, 93), Maris, Lewis, Keillor-Dunn (Boateng, 82), Bowery, Oates (Gale, 93).

UNUSED SUBS: Flinders, Swan, Flanagan

REFEREE: Ross Joyce.

ATTENDANCE: 3,281 (1.173 Stags’ supporters)