FOREST GREEN HIT FOR FOUR BY STAGS

FOREST GREEN ROVERS  1 – 4  MANSFIELD TOWN

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WHILE still capable of capitulations like this, Forest Green's battle to beat the drop will be a bloody one.

They deserved their advantage at the break, provided by Tomi Ameobi's second goal in as many games, but a double from Stags defender Luke Jones and further messy strikes from Rob Duffy and Jake Speight left the New Lawn shell-shocked.

Ex-Forest Green loanee and set-play specialist Ryan Williams was their chief tormentor.

Another Rovers old boy Michael Brough mustered the game's first shot on target in the 12th minute, home keeper David Wilkinson doing well to gather from 20 yards.

Rovers went in front five minutes later when Ameobi met Conal Platt's free-kick at the far post and headed home.

David Holdsworth must have demanded more from his side during the interval, but a wild 25-yard volley from Williams was the best they could offer by way of an early goal threat.

Rovers were given a warning of Jones' aerial prowess when he soared to meet a Williams corner and saw his header cleared by Paul Stonehouse.

The same combination combined for the equaliser, as Jones headed into the roof of the net.

Forest Green had still not cleared their heads when they fell behind after the ball dropped for Duffy to bundle home at the back post.

Hockaday responded by throwing on 20-year-old striker Reece Styche for a home debut, after he scored twice as a substitute at Hayes in midweek.

But momentum remained with the Stags, and they effectively wrapped up the game on 76 minutes when Williams cut the ball back for Speight to smash home.

It was 4-1 with three minutes left when Jones' header looped over the stranded Wilkinson.

Forest Green: D. Wilkinson; J. Hodgkiss, O. Thorne, J. O'Cearuill, P. Stonehouse; C. Platt (T. Berry 88), J. Smith (D. Brown 77), C. Rocastle, D. Powell (R. Styche 68); T. Ameobi, I. Rankin; Subs not used: M. Preece, T. Burton.

Mansfield Town: A. Marriott; G. Silk, L. Foster, L. Jones, C. Armstrong; J. Speight, M. Somner, M. Brough, R. Williams (L. Briscoe 88); J. Challinor (S. Istead 82); R. Duffy (K. Perry 77); Subs not used: O. Hotchkiss, N. Collett.

Referee: R. Lewis (Shropshire)                             Attendance: 817

Star man: Tomi Ameobi – Took his goal with aplomb and put in a real shift, both up front and in an unfamiliar midfield role.