Mansfield Town produced a dominant home display as they romped to a 4-0 victory against Morecambe in their latest Sky Bet League Two fixture.
Jacob Mellis’ fourth goal of the season gave his side a deserved lead at the interval – something that the Stags would soon build upon in the second period.
The trio of CJ Hamilton, Krystian Pearce and Mal Benning were also on target for Mansfield as they made sure of the victory in emphatic circumstances.
There were two changes made by David Flitcroft in response to the draw at Northampton little under a week ago.
Both Alex MacDonald and Will Tomlinson made way for Mellis and Jorge Grant for the Stags’ latest outing.
Amidst beautiful weather conditions at One Call Stadium, Mansfield set precedence as they looked to take control from the outset.
Gethin Jones rose highest to meet a whipped delivery, but saw his header saved superbly by Barry Roche, before Mellis’ long-range effort was palmed clear.
Hamilton then looked to utilise his blistering pace, however, he was unable to latch onto a through ball as it instead trickled into Roche’s grasp.
The Stags were in the ascendency – epitomised when a crisp, one-touch move almost bore fruit had it not been for some resolute defending from the visitors.
Morecambe themselves were not without threat, though, as Pearce was called upon to block Andrew Fleming’s effort from inside the 18-yard box.
Mansfield quickly affirmed their unwavering intent as Roche, who failed to get the necessary contact on Grant’s initial effort, had to claw the ball away from his goal-line.
But the Shrimps ‘keeper could do very little on the half-hour mark.
Mellis took aim from 20 yards and released a low drive that left Roche rooted to the spot – giving the Stags a deserved lead and sending the stands into raptures.
Flitcroft’s men opted to keep their foot firmly on the accelerator when Grant’s free-kick cleared Morecambe’s crossbar by a matter of inches.
The Stags’ number eight, Mellis, almost notched a second goal little over 10 minutes later.
The ball fell kindly to the midfielder, whose effort that seemed destined for the bottom corner, was somehow deflected past Roche’s upright.
Jones then had another headed effort saved expertly by Roche – who had undoubtedly been the busier of the two ‘keepers, thus far.
It was a sublime first-half display from the Stags who would look to build upon their lead heading into the second period.
And the hosts almost did just that when Grant was thwarted by the feet of Roche with just two minutes gone.
The on-loan midfielder then had another chance – this time following some incredible solo work by Hamilton – but he was unable to connect cleanly with a bobbling pass.
At the other end, Ryan Sweeney was needed to turn behind a dangerous cross for a corner that was subsequently saved by Logan.
In the 70th minute, though, Mansfield struck again to give themselves breathing space.
The Stags’ skipper, Pearce, made room for himself inside Morecambe’s penalty area and made no mistake in finding the bottom corner with his right boot.
And just three minutes later, Flitcroft’s side had their third in some style.
Hamilton was able to weave his way beyond several defenders and fire through the legs of Roche with aplomb, sending the One Call into collective noise.
But the hosts were still not finished on 85 minutes.
Benning sized up a presentable opportunity from 25 yards and duly found the back of the net via the inside of the far post.
It was the perfect ending to a perfect afternoon for the hosts who, as a result, lift themselves back up to second with only three league fixtures remaining.
The first of which comes on Monday afternoon as the Stags face Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.
STAGS XI: Logan (GK), Benning, Preston, Pearce ©, Bishop (Tomlinson 83’), Mellis, Sweeney, Walker (Rose 77’), Jones, Hamilton, Grant (MacDonald 71’).
SUBS NOT USED: Smith (GK), Atkinson, Turner, Hakeem.
MORECAMBE XI: Roche © (GK), Mills, Kenyon (Conlan 46’), Old, Bennett, Fleming, Sutton (Mingoia 46’), Lavelle, Mandeville, Cranston, Collins (Oliver 72’).
SUBS NOT USED: Halstead (GK), Ellison, McKay, Hedley.
REFEREE: Trevor Kettle.
ASSISTANTS: Joe Simpson & Stephen Finch.
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Danny Gratton.
ATTENDANCE: 5,177 (107 away).
