Oxford United 3 Mansfield Town 0

Alex MacDonald's double eased Oxford's relegation worries and dragged the Stags into the mire.

Winger MacDonald opened the scoring in the 31st minute with his first goal since signing from Burton two weeks ago.

Keeper Lee Pidgeley flapped at a cross from right back George Baldock when under pressure from striker Pat Hoban and MacDonald pounced to stroke the ball in from four yards at the far post.

MacDonald claimed his second in the 54th minute.

Callum O'Dowda caused chaos in the Mansfield box when he cut in from the left to tee up fellow midfielder Michael Collins, but when his shot was blocked, MacDonald drilled in the rebound from fourteen yards.

Delighted Us boss Michael Appleton said:

"It wasn't pretty at times, but there was quality in the final third and there was a real focus in training this week."

And Appleton was especially pleased for new boy MacDonald. He said:

"He's an infectious person to have around and we knew he had goals in him."

Striker Danny Hylton added a penalty in the 63rd minute.

Central defender Ryan Tafazolli scythed down striker Pat Hoban in the box and Hylton scored his 15th goal of the season.

Disappointed Mansfield manager Adam Murray claimed:

"The effort the lads have put into the last two games was there for all to see today. I'm not sure if it was fatigue. We've played some really good football in the last two months - today was some of the worst. We move on."

MacDonald came close to grabbing another goal in the 50th minute with a low 25 yard strike that Pidgeley did well to turn past his upright at full stretch.

And Hylton should have netted a brace himself, but he lashed a pass from defender Sam Long wide with the goal begging.