MANSFIELD has always been a happy hunting ground for Accrington Stanley — and 2016 proved no different as the Reds hounded the Stags to take all three points from the One Call Stadium.

John Coleman’s side picked up a first win in four as they created a string of chances against fellow play-off chasers Town and deserved more than the 3-2 victory with which they came away.

An unchanged Reds side hit the ground running with an opening goal inside four minutes. With the transfer window open, all the talk in the press room was about Josh Windass — and he made a telling early contribution with a run and cross from the left converted deftly by Piero Mingoia’s left-foot half-volley on the edge of the six-yard box to make it 1-0.

With a lead established, Coleman’s team went about turning the screw. Thanks to a fine tackle, Blair Adams denied Mingoia a second. Billy Kee fired wide from a superb Windass pass and goalkeeper Brian Jensen thwarted Windass when he had a shot of his own.

Former Burnley keeper Jensen was keeping the score down, saving with his legs from Sean McConville’s low angled drive before racing out to spread himself and smother a blaster from the same player.

Not taking chances came back to haunt the visitors as the Stags levelled with their first serious opening. A long ball from the back was not dealt with by Tom Davies — and as the defender dithered, Matt Green stole in to drive the ball home off the inside of the far post and make it 1-1.

That prompted a turnaround, with Mansfield piling on the pressure and Green shooting over before seeing Jason Mooney grab another effort before the break.

After the interval the hosts continued in the same vein, with Mooney holding on to a low shot from Reggie Lambe early on. The Northern Irish keeper was then fortunate as his attempt to clear a Green flick fell to Jack Thomas but the midfielder’s shot was wildly off target.

There was another twist to come though, as Stanley found their second wind. Revitalised by substitutions they began to build up a head of steam again, culminating in a brilliant second goal.

Matt Crooks charged down a clearance to substitute Terry Gornell, who broke down the right and returned the ball to the advancing midfielder. Crooks then executed an effortless and excellent pirouette around a defender and the ball bounced up to Kee who volleyed in his 10th goal of the season.

It was advantage Stanley again and this time they capitalised, adding a third after Shay McCartan had forced Jensen into another save.

This time Gornell was the hero, meeting Adam Buxton’s cross with a firm header turned on to the post by the Danish goalkeeper. Not to be denied, the striker followed up to fire home his second goal of the season.

Chris Clements reduced the deficit with a superb free-kick before Crooks picked out Gornell for a counter-attack, only for Jensen to make yet another save.

Five tense minutes of injury-time were navigated as Stanley secured victory.