Mansfield Town 2 Wycombe Wanderers 3

Last updated : 25 September 2005 By Footymad Previewer
High-flying Wycombe stretched the only unbeaten record in the Football League to 10 matches and plunge managerless Mansfield into the League Two relegation zone following a 3-2 win at Field Mill.

Experienced midfielder Kevin Betsy was the hero with a first half hat-trick as the Stags, under care-taker boss Peter Shirtliff, never threatened to pick up only their second win of the season

Wycombe, in total contrast to the inept home side, shook off any hangover from their midweek 8-3 Carling Cup mauling against Aston Villa to pass their way to an impressive victory and leave Shirtliff's hopes of getting the manager's job at Field Mill in tatters.

Wycombe, without midfield battler Joe Purnell, were grateful to see hot-shot Nathan Tyson shake off a dead leg picked up in the trouncing by Aston Villa. Veteran Rob Lee and Betsy also returned from injury.

And it was Betsy who made an immediate impact with the opening goal inside the first minute. Mansfield failed miserably to clear a Matt Bloomfield cross and then gave Betsy, unmarked inside the area, plenty of time to turn and shoot into the net.

The goal understandably knocked the Stags out of their stride and Rob Lee, from long range, and Tommy Mooney with a header almost added to the visitors' lead.

But in the 15th minute Betsy struck again as the home defence, concentrating too much on marking Tyson and Mooney, allowed the experienced midfielder to double Wycombe's lead. Betsy collected another neat Bloomfield pass before side-stepping his way past two defenders and beating keeper Kevin Pressman from eight yards.

Mansfield's only hope of a quick reply was rejected by the referee midway through the first half when he waved away loud penalty appeals after Frank Talia clearly hauled down Richie Barker.

Giles Coke from long range and then Adam Birchall from 15 yards also went close to giving the home side a lifeline just before half-time.

But when Talia held Birchall's shot, Wycombe broke quickly and Betsy was gifted possession on the edge of the area, before firing in off the post to complete his treble.

The Stags were given a lifeline in the 65th minute when Danny Senda hauled down Simon Brown in the area and Barker converted the penalty.

The goal suddenly gave the home side hope and 15 minutes from time Brown tapped in after Talia parried Coke's fierce drive.

Then, five minutes from time, Rhys Day almost completed an unlikely fightback, but his header from Birchall's cross hit the post.