Mansfield picked up their fourth win in a row as they swept aside Cambridge, who could only name four substitutes.

James Jennings' stunning free-kick from 20 yards flew into the net via the post to put the hosts ahead.

Ross Dyer pegged them back almost immediately when he headed home Luke O'Neill's delivery, while Andy Pugh's overhead kick whistled over for United.

But the U's defence then failed to clear their lines and were punished when Louis Briscoe blasted home.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Cambridge United manager Jez George told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire:

"We looked what we are - a really patched up team and against a side like Mansfield it makes it really difficult because they're such a powerful, physically strong team. We've just got to dig in and we know the situation.

"It's a really tough moment for us. I look back earlier in the season and there's me getting frustrated when we played poorly and won.

"I'd take them now and I'll never be disappointed with a win again."

Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"I'm delighted with the lads because, more than anything, they looked a bit jaded mentally and physically.

"So to come here against a very good side and not just get a point but all three is excellent.

"What we're tending to be doing now is grinding out results. I don't think we played particularly well tonight but we've ground out a result against a good side."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (5)

Cambridge United

  • 01 Naisbitt
  • 02 Roberts
  • 03 Jennings
  • 12 McAuley
  • 25 Hudson
  • 06 Shaw
  • 18 Berry
  • 21 Jackson (Brighton - 49' )
  • 26 Eades (Marriott - 85' )
  • 14 Tyriaki (Hughes - 85' )
  • 15 Pugh

Substitutes

  • 29 Brighton
  • 16 Jarvis
  • 17 Hughes
  • 19 Marriott

Mansfield Town

  • 01 Marriott
  • 06 Riley Booked
  • 16 O'Neill
  • 17 Sutton
  • 26 Geohaghan
  • 07 Briscoe
  • 21 Howell
  • 24 Meikle Booked (Rhead - 83' )
  • 35 Roberts
  • 10 Green (Hutchinson - 90' )
  • 15 Dyer

Substitutes

  • 23 Redmond
  • 04 Worthington
  • 08 Stevenson
  • 09 Rhead
  • 28 Hutchinson
Ref: Amey
Att: 1,738

Match Stats

Shots

8 10

On target

3 6

Corners

2 3

Fouls

15 17

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:59 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +2:45

Matt Rhead challenges Rory McAuley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Danny Naisbitt takes the free kick.

90:00 +1:46

Ross Dyer decides to take the corner short.

90:00 +0:50

Blaine Hudson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Matt Rhead. Matt Rhead restarts play with the free kick.

89:58

The ball is delivered by Kevin Roberts, Exodus Geohaghon manages to make a clearance.

89:02

Free kick taken by Danny Naisbitt.

89:02 Substitution

Substitution Ben Hutchinson is brought on as a substitute for Matthew Green.

89:02

Foul by Matt Rhead on Luke Berry, free kick awarded.

87:22

Foul by Matthew Green on Rory McAuley, free kick awarded. Danny Naisbitt restarts play with the free kick.

84:42 Substitution

Substitution Jack Eades goes off and Adam Marriott comes on.

84:42 Substitution

Substitution Liam Hughes joins the action as a substitute, replacing Mustafa Tiryaki.

84:29

Shot from just outside the box by Gary Roberts goes over the crossbar.

83:08

Blaine Hudson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Matt Rhead. Gary Roberts fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, save by Danny Naisbitt. Corner taken right-footed by Luke O'Neill from the left by-line, Rory McAuley makes a clearance.

82:26 Substitution

Substitution Matt Rhead replaces Lindon Meikle.

80:09

James Jennings produces a cross, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Mustafa Tiryaki misses to the left of the goal.

80:09 Booking

Booking Lindon Meikle goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

79:59

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Jennings by Lindon Meikle.

79:47

The ball is delivered by Kevin Roberts.

79:03

Anthony Howell concedes a free kick for a foul on Kevin Roberts. Direct free kick taken by Jack Eades.

77:38

Effort on goal by Matthew Green from inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

77:24

Matthew Green produces a drilled left-footed shot from 20 yards. Blocked by Blaine Hudson.

76:42

Foul by Blaine Hudson on Ross Dyer, free kick awarded. Ritchie Sutton restarts play with the free kick.

73:42

Free kick awarded for a foul by Tom Shaw on Louis Briscoe. Gary Roberts delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel.

73:07

Jack Eades gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Anthony Howell. Alan Marriott takes the direct free kick.

72:12

Gary Roberts challenges Andy Pugh unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Jack Eades.

70:01

A cross is delivered by Luke O'Neill.

69:55

Luke O'Neill crosses the ball.

67:19

The free kick is delivered left-footed by James Jennings from left channel, clearance made by Martin Riley.

67:19 Booking

Booking Caution for Martin Riley.

66:59

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andy Pugh by Martin Riley.

66:42

Jack Eades sends in a cross, save made by Alan Marriott.

65:02

The ball is crossed by Jack Eades.

63:24

Long range shot by Luke O'Neill goes wide right of the net.

59:37

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Brighton by Luke O'Neill. Direct free kick taken by James Jennings.

56:51

The assist for the goal came from Lindon Meikle.

56:51 Goal scored

Goal - Louis Briscoe - Cambridge 1 - 2 Mansfield Goal scored by Louis Briscoe from inside the box high into the middle of the goal. Cambridge Utd 1-2 Mansfield.

54:20

Free kick awarded for a foul by Gary Roberts on Jack Eades. James Jennings crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, save made by Alan Marriott.

51:16

James Brighton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Louis Briscoe. Free kick taken by Martin Riley.

50:11

Corner taken short by Luke O'Neill.

50:02

The ball is delivered by James Brighton, save by Alan Marriott.

48:13 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Jackson leaves the field to be replaced by James Brighton.

47:23

Effort on goal by Andy Pugh from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

46:38

The official flags Lindon Meikle offside. Indirect free kick taken by Danny Naisbitt.

46:26

Mustafa Tiryaki handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Gary Roberts restarts play with the free kick.

45:15

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Roberts by Luke Berry. Direct free kick taken by Exodus Geohaghon.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:00 +1:47 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +0:50

Anthony Howell challenges Tom Shaw unfairly and gives away a free kick. The ball is delivered by Jack Eades, Header by Tom Shaw from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

43:49

The official flags Ross Dyer offside. Danny Naisbitt takes the free kick.

43:12

Effort on goal by Andy Pugh from just inside the area clears the bar.

40:39

Luke Berry concedes a free kick for a foul on Anthony Howell. Alan Marriott takes the free kick.

39:38

Ross Dyer concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan Jackson. Free kick taken by Danny Naisbitt.

38:11

A cross is delivered by Ryan Jackson, clearance made by Exodus Geohaghon.

36:11

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Lindon Meikle by Ryan Jackson. Luke O'Neill crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, clearance by James Jennings.

33:06

James Jennings takes the inswinging corner, Matthew Green manages to make a clearance.

32:19

Martin Riley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mustafa Tiryaki. Free kick taken by Jack Eades.

31:13

Jack Eades challenges Luke O'Neill unfairly and gives away a free kick. Alan Marriott takes the direct free kick.

28:06

Gary Roberts has a volleyed shot. Rory McAuley gets a block in.

27:58

The ball is sent over by Exodus Geohaghon, clearance made by Kevin Roberts.

27:04

Mustafa Tiryaki challenges Martin Riley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Luke O'Neill restarts play with the free kick.

26:40

Ross Dyer produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.

26:11

Shot by Louis Briscoe. Danny Naisbitt makes a comfortable save.

25:45

Foul by Tom Shaw on Gary Roberts, free kick awarded. Alan Marriott restarts play with the free kick.

22:17

Foul by Andy Pugh on Gary Roberts, free kick awarded. Alan Marriott takes the free kick.

22:03

Lindon Meikle concedes a free kick for a foul on Kevin Roberts. Kevin Roberts restarts play with the free kick.

20:31

Tom Shaw has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.

17:57

Kevin Roberts delivers the ball, Mustafa Tiryaki takes a shot. Save by Alan Marriott.

17:09

The official flags Ross Dyer offside. Danny Naisbitt restarts play with the free kick.

16:50

The offside flag is raised against Mustafa Tiryaki. Alan Marriott restarts play with the free kick.

15:01

Louis Briscoe sends in a cross.

13:07

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mustafa Tiryaki on Luke O'Neill. Alan Marriott takes the direct free kick.

11:24

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Jack Eades, Ritchie Sutton manages to make a clearance.

9:38

Assist on the goal came from Luke O'Neill.

9:38 Goal scored

Goal - Ross Dyer - Cambridge 1 - 1 Mansfield Ross Dyer finds the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty box. Cambridge Utd 1-1 Mansfield.

9:11

Mustafa Tiryaki challenges Exodus Geohaghon unfairly and gives away a free kick. Luke O'Neill restarts play with the free kick.

8:41

Ross Dyer challenges Blaine Hudson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Danny Naisbitt.

7:35

Ryan Jackson takes a shot. Save made by Alan Marriott.

5:28

Assist by Mustafa Tiryaki.

5:28 Goal scored

Goal - James Jennings - Cambridge 1 - 0 Mansfield James Jennings finds the net with a goal direct from the free kick from just outside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Cambridge Utd 1-0 Mansfield.

4:33

Unfair challenge on Mustafa Tiryaki by Luke O'Neill results in a free kick.

3:10

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ross Dyer on Luke Berry. Luke Berry takes the direct free kick.

1:10

Kevin Roberts delivers the ball, Luke O'Neill makes a clearance.

0:19

Free kick awarded for a foul by Luke O'Neill on Andy Pugh. Danny Naisbitt takes the direct free kick.

0:00

The game gets underway.

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