Mansfield keep play-off hopes alive with big derby victory

Matt Green scored twice as Mansfield kept their play-off hopes alive with a pulsating 5-0 derby win over Notts County.The former Birmingham striker took his tally to 16 for the season to lift the Stags to within three points of the top seven and condemn Mark Cooper to his first defeat as County boss.After Green rifled home the opener in the sixth minute, County should have levelled during a dominant first half with Izale McLeod, Thierry Audel, Liam Noble and Jon Stead all wasting chances.It proved costly as Mansfield doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Adam Chapman hit home a scorching free-kick from the edge of the box.Things got even better for the hosts three minutes later when Green bagged his second after getting goal-side and slotting cooly past Scott Loach.Reggie Lambe made it 4-0 in the 67th minute after a super run and cross from Matty Blair down the right flank gave him a simple tap-in.Mansfield rubbed further salt in the wounds with seven minutes to go when Mitchell Rose tapped home after Loach spilled a shot into his path.