Morecambe 0
Mansfield Town 1

MANSFIELD Town took a massive step towards mathematical League Two survival after Colin Daniel’s superb first half free kick clinched their first win over Morecambe.

His terrific 25-yard strike just before half-time was one of few moments of quality in a bad-tempered, scrappy match.

Nine players were booked and Morecambe’s Andrew Fleming was sent off seven minutes from time for a foul on Adam Murray as the Stags collected their third successive win and stretched their impressive away run to four wins and four draws from nine matches.

The victory kept them 10 points clear of the relegation zone with five matches remaining – and just seven points off the play-off positions.

Daniel almost repeated his first half thunderbolt with a another free kick that Morecambe’s veteran keeper Barry Roche did well to keep out. The keeper also tipped away acrobatically Matt Rhead’s goalbound header.

Ironically match-winner Daniel was only on the pitch after an early injury to Lee Beevers, who again dislocated his shoulder after just four minutes.

The home side’s best chance fell to Redshaw early on. He seized on Martin Riley’s error but with just keeper Alan Marriott to beat he somehow placed his finish wide.

Despite eight minutes of second half injury time the Stags ung on for three more vital points and a second successive 1-0 win, which took them up to 12th place.

Afterwards manager Paul Cox defender striker Rhead, who was the target of anger from home fans and players after two players were injured in challenges.

Cox said: “he has scratch marks right down his neck where he has been raked.

“He was getting elbowed left, right and centre, so if you dish it out you have got to be able to receive it as well.

“Just because someone gets a bloody nose doesn’t mean someone has done something out of order.”