WHERE were you, you thousands who flocked to Forest? This was only a few miles further and there was victory as well as excitement to savour. While most of their fans went shopping, a tough team got going again, shrugging off the aches, pains and fatigue of the the Worthington Cup classic to out-think, overpower and outplay a solid, confident Stags side.

It was a confrontation between the best away team in the division and hard-to-beat homers -- Cambridge United looking for their sixth win in nine trips, Mansfield defeated only four times in 30 games at Field Mill. Not only that, but the Nottinghamshire side proved they deserved to be in the leading group with United by winning their previous two games, at Brighton and Southend.

With 10 minutes still to go before half time, though, the contest was virtually decided, a superb save from Shaun Marshall, and goals from Alex Russell and Trevor Benjamin putting Roy McFarland's men firmly in control. Just as importantly, the tactical game had also been won by that stage, McFarland switching to a style which stymied the Stags' main threat.

No better than average up front, Mansfield rely heavily on wing-backs Lee Williams and Steve Harper to outmanoeuvre their opponents. So the United boss delegated left-back Jamie Campbell and, surprisingly, John Taylor to block them. Somehow the 33-year-old striker, after playing for almost two hours on the City Ground swamp four days earlier, kept going for another 90 minutes, and also found time to set up the opening goal.

Said McFarland: "Neil Mustoe had to drop out with a thigh strain, so I had to try something a bit different. I wasn't sure in the first 10 minutes if John could play the role, but he got into it and it worked well."

So well, in fact, that six minutes into the second half United were 3-0 up and coasting at a ground where they have struggled so often in the past.

"We could have steam-rollered them," said skipper Paul Wanless. "I know they could have had another goal late on, but with a bit more luck we might have scored six or seven. It's great to be able to come away and win like this."

He might have opened the scoring as early as the seventh minute if he had not stumbled when chasing a typically well-struck through ball from Alex Russell. There was just one scare before two goals in four minutes stunned the Stags. A misplaced header by Taylor dropped in the United box to Darrell Clarke, who volleyed the ball from 10 yards. But to his amazement Marshall not only got in the way, but held on to the shot.

Two hundred or so of the 3,200 United fans who saw their previous match enjoyed a highly-entertaining second half of alarms and escapes at both ends as Mansfield threw everything into attack, leaving huge gaps for Martin Butler and Trevor Benjamin to power through.

Both sides could have had another three goals each, but for wayward finishing and sharp goalkeeping. Butler had a shot blocked and an effort from the rebound deflected over the crossbar by Ian Bowling in the 54th minute, headed inches over in the 60th then had the ball snatched off his foot when he was clear in the 78th.

At the other end, Stags' top scorer Iyseden Christie was having the Hallowe'en horrors. It went like this: Completely miskicked six yards out in the 58th minute, hit the crossbar from eight yards in the 74th, fell over when clear in the 77th.

Finally referee Trevor Jones took pity on him eight minutes from time by awarding a penalty when he fell over Martin McNeil's leg after the 18-year-old defender cleanly clipped the ball away from him.

McNeil, who provided good support for the excellent Andy Duncan, said: "I got the ball. I thought the linesman who was better placed might have a word with the ref, who was on the blind side."

Apart from a positional problem or two as he tired late in the game, the remark was a rare indiciation of his extreme youth and naivete.

"The best team we've seen here for ages," was the general verdict of the Mansfield camp. Now all United have to do to verify their promotion credentials is get the Abbey Stadium crowd saying the same thing.

Two things didn't happen today.

Firstly it didn't rain all through the match as it normally does at Mansfield and secondly we didn't lose 3-2 like we normally do at Field Mill. In fact United continued with there excellent away form with an impressive 3-1 victory after putting in a fine performance for most of the match.

The U's looked jaded for the first 20 mins or so although even during that time they looked comfortable enough against a Mansfield team enjoying a good start to the season having lost only one home game so far. United were without Mustoe who presumably was injured, although Ashbee did a good job filling in for him in midfield.

Mansfields' ploy was much the same as the last two seasons with their energetic midfielders knocking neat passes over the top of the United defence with the two central strikers darting in pursuit, a tactic very difficult to counter, needing absolute concentration from the defence. It was good to see Trevor Benjamin in League action again and Martin Butler was looking sharp and hungry, Russell was backing them up with excellent runs through from midfield and linking particularly well with Butler. Taylor appeared to be playing just in front of the back four, marking their left back, a tactic that worked surprisingly well.

Both sides made chances early on with United looking the most dangerous in attack as they slowly shook off the effects of Tuesdays marathon against Forest. Mansfields best effort came from a free-kick just on the edge of the area that Marshall did well to stop as it skidded through the crowded penalty area. It was the impressive combination of Butler and Russell that carved out the U's first goal after half an hour, with the pair linking well down the United right in a move that also included Trevor Benjamin, the killer pass coming from Butler as he stroked an inch perfect pass into the path of Alex Russell as he surged through the middle, Russell cut inside the Mansfield right back, took the ball on another couple of strides and coolly slotted the ball past the advancing Mansfield keeper.

Five minutes later another move between Butler and Russell ended with Russell slipping the ball into the penalty area to Benjamin, initially Trev seemed to stumble and looked like losing the ball as he turned, but somehow he managed to shake off the attention of two defenders and lashed the ball home past the startled Mansfield keeper who, like the rest of us must have thought Benjamin had lost the ball.

Those two goals knocked the wind out of Mansfields sails and United cruised to half time with only one slight scare as Marshall flapped at a corner but Campbell was on the near post to prevent the ball from going into the net following a goal mouth scramble.

The second half started with Mansfield stepping up a gear as expected and United were forced to defend from the kick off. Ever dangerous on the break though, United could have found themselves four or five up as first Butler had a shot brilliantly tipped round the post for a corner after he latched onto a header from Benjamin just over the half way line, as the Mansfield keeper came out to meet the onrushing striker, Butler hit a ferocious shot that the keeper did well to do anything with as it took a slight deflection and looked goal bound all the way. From the resulting corner Butler headed just over the angle of bar and post with the goal at his mercy after arriving unmarked to meet Russells corner.

The Mansfield manager realised he needed to do something quick to get his side back in the game and the first of three substitutions in twenty minutes was the dangerous Christie in place of the right back. Christie almost made an instant impact as he raced through the United defence as the ball was deftly chipped over our back four as they pushed up for offside. Luckily the ball skidded on the greasy surface just in front of Christie and Chenery was able to recover and push the ball wide for a corner.

Then just as Mansfield threatened to get back into the game, United dealt them a body blow with a third goal after fifty minutes after breaking out following a spell of Mansfield pressure. Wanless slipped the ball wide to Taylor who sent Butler racing through the middle, the defenders had no chance of catching Butler and he shot low and hard into the net giving the Mansfield keeper no chance.

After that United sat back and Mansfield made two further substitutions in an effort to get back into it. The U's got quite sloppy for a while and began to give the ball away too cheaply in midfield with Christie always threatening to punish United, twice the U's defence was caught napping by balls over the top but on each occasion the Mansfield No 12 fell over the ball with the goal gaping in front of him, and ten minutes from the end they clipped the top of the bar following a move that carved the United defence open, but Marshall narrowed the angle sufficiently to make the striker rush his shot.

Up front Butler should have added a fourth after being put through by Benjamin but this time the advancing Mansfield keeper managed to block Butlers powerful shot with his legs, then a couple of minutes later Benjamin wasted a good chance after linking well with Taylor on the United right, he was clean through but took the ball too far and a Mansfield defender managed to nick it off his foot as he was about to let fly.

Mansfield almost got through twice more before finally, following yet another ball over the top of the advancing United back line, Duncan stretched out a foot to toe poke the ball away from Christie as he bore down on Marshalls goal, there was absolutely no contact and it was a clean tackle, the Mansfield strikers own momentum carried him forward and ultimately over. To the disgust of the United players, bench and traveling fans the ref, who was at least ten yards behind the play and saw the incident from the back, pointed to the spot whilst the linesman signaled for a corner and there were no appeals from either the Mansfield fans or players.

The "penalty" was duly despatched but by now the result was beyond Mansfields reach.

Another great away result coupled with an excellent performance, particularly when you consider the heroics of the players during Tuesdays epic Worhington Cup tie with Nottingham Forest. The United players were in jubilant mood following the final whistle and came across, along with David Preece and the other subs for a prolonged celebration with the traveling fans. Clearly the players are getting a buzz out of the winning feeling and there is definitely a sense of togetherness that seemed to be lacking on many occasions last season. Shaggy as ever led the celebrations and looked as if he'd won the lottery, so wide was the grin on his face.

A couple of points to note.

PC Trevor George helped United cause in the dying minutes by kicking the ball away from the corner of the pitch as a Mansfield player raced across to grab it ... nice one Trevor, and as we left the ground several Mansfield fans were adamant that we were crap and would have been buried had they took their chances, it is fair to say that in the last twenty minutes Mansfield did create three great opportunities as they showed glimpses of why they are so hard to beat at home, but as a much older and wiser Mansfield fan was heard to say, United could have had seven goals themselves and it's all about sticking the ball in the net.

United have consistently proved on their travels so far this season that they are one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the division and although this leaves them a little vulnerable at the back, they are not afraid to play attractive attacking football as the statistics prove by showing how many goals we have scored away from home this season. By my reckoning that is the fourth time have scored three times in an away match and that is no mean feat.

Cambridge United maintained their excellent away form as they overpowered, out fought and thought the form team in the division on their own ground. Mansfield had won their previous five league matches, including away victories at Brighton and Southend. They had no answer though for the slick, ruthless and classy style adopted by a United team who have now scored nine goals in their last three away matches. Backed by fine away support, Cambridge stormed to joint top of the third division and seven points clear of arch rivals Peterborough United.

Brimming with confidence and ability United began the match in buoyant mood as they set about to bury their Mansfield hoodoo. Jamie Campbell found himself seven yards from goal after only four minutes with the ball at his feet, but rushed his shot, which went out for a goal kick.

Alex Russell was acting as the engine room for United who were missing the hard working Mustoe through injury. He took on the role superbly and on seven minutes threaded an excellent ball through to Wanless who raced on to goal only to be challenged at the last minute by a frantic Mansfield defender.

Mansfield then began to settle down, and realised that against a team who looked likely to score every time they went forward, attack was going to be the best form of defence. Hackett and Schofield began to impose themselves on the midfield and set the lively Lormor free down the left-hand side after 15 minutes. He delivered a fine cross, which Marshall had trouble dealing with but managed to smother the ball just before Clarke pounced. It looked that their disappointment would be short lived after a poor defensive header from Taylor gifted Clarke with the ball six yards from goal with only Marshall to beat. The young keeper spread himself superbly to block a shot, which seemed destined for the back of the net.

Marshall had another fine all round display, with his kicking and punching exemplary. A performance very similar to the one he produced at Cardiff as he failed to put a foot wrong for the entire 90 minutes, in which he was only seriously called upon occasionally.

At the other end of the pitch though Bowling was beginning to become increasingly worried as Mansfield's willingness to take the game to United left gaps in their defence, which we began to exploit. Russell was tearing them apart down the left-hand side, and the powerful runs of Benjamin and Butler were looking increasingly likely to produce a goal.

A downward header from captain Paul Wanless flashed wide of the near post on 28 minutes as Cambridge cranked it up a gear sensing the panic in the Mansfield defence and the opportunity to exploit it. Another fine kick from Marshall found its way to Russell on the left-hand side on the half-hour mark. He coolly took the ball on and slotted it under the advancing keeper to give United the lead they deserved on the balance of play.

Mansfield's manager Steve Parkin had attended our midweek Worthington Cup-tie at Nottingham Forest, and must have hoped that what he saw was a team raising their game for the big occasion. It started to become worryingly clear to him though that this was not the case and just three minutes after the first United goal Trevor Benjamin doubled the lead. He showed superb skill inside the box to weave his way through the tackles and fire a fine curling shot inside the near post and score his seventh goal of the season.

Mansfield have one of the best home records in the division, and until now had not conceded more than one goal to one team all season. By the stroke of half time though United had achieved this with style.

The second half started in worrying fashion for Cambridge. Mansfield had us pinned inside our own half and just two minutes after the restart Clarke found himself bearing down on Marshall after a fine through ball. One again though he failed to show the composure necessary to beat the in-form keeper.

Cambridge though were simply lying dormant, waiting for the opportunity to deliver the killer blow. This came after 51 minutes as another wonderfully accurate ball from the inspired Russell sent Butler clear and he coolly dispatched a shot past the keeper to score his third goal in four matches and sent his tally for the season into double figures.

This appeared to have killed the game as a contest, and Cambridge began once again to look like they could score at will. Butler twice found himself with clear runs on goal, yet on both occasions failed to deliver his usually calm and accurate finish. A fine pass from Russell sent him through on 79 minutes and he hit an angled shot which beat the keeper but was cleared off the goal line by Christie.

The game looked like it would stumble to its inevitable conclusion until referee Trevor Jones spoiled a otherwise faultless performance by awarding a penalty for a superb tackle from Jamie Campbell on Lormer as he run through on goal. He obviously realised that he had made a mistake as he failed to show Campbell a card of any colour, when he was the last defender and Lormer was clear through on goal. The resulting penalty was dispatched low into the net to reduce the score line on 83 minutes.

Mansfield then sensed they could get something out of the game. United are made of sterner stuff than the team who collapsed dismally in the final minutes at Rotherham and many other places last season though. Despite a few scares in the last five minutes when Mansfield hit the top of the post and had a header fly inches wide, United used their possession to the maximum and passed the ball around killing time before the final whistle.

Salt could have been rubbed into the Mansfield wounds as Trevor Benjamin surged forward in injury time to fire a shot over the Mansfield bar. The referee blew his whistle to complete a wonderful week for the fans and players of Cambridge United Football Club.

Another three points which put us joint top of the division and another classy display of the ability and spirit United posses in their squad. Despite injuries which ruled out Joseph and Mustoe and demoted Kyd to the substitute bench United dispatched with ease the team sixth in the division three table. Never looking out of his depth, McNeil produced a very accomplished display alongside the exceptional Duncan. Chenery and Campbell had adequate games in which they expressed their growing attacking ability, which is adding dimension and depth to United's forward play.

John Taylor played another 90 minutes of football in which his enthusiasm and work rate were exceptional. Butler proved that he is back to his best alongside the explosive Benjamin who scared the life out of the Mansfield defence who must have wondered what a team with such attacking variation and quality are doing in this division.

Perhaps Hallowe'en was the most fitting day to break the witch's spell cast over Field Mill. Six defeats and one draw in our last seven visits are the statistics, which make Mansfield the most unhappy league hunting ground for United. The hubble and bubble by Butler and Benjamin along with the toil and trouble caused to their defence by man of the match Russell broke the spell in spectacular style as he masterminded this latest United conquest.

Cambridge United served up a Hallowe'en treat for their fans this afternoon, with Alex Russell filling the role of Merlin the Magician and displaying a box of tricks to send the U's fans home happy after a rare win at Field Mill.

Midfielder Neil Mustoe was a surprise absentee from today's team, missing with an injury that was kept quiet by the United camp this week. However Ian Ashbee was on hand to reclaim his midfield berth after missing six weeks with an ankle injury and sitting on the bench for the last three games.

The game kicked off under grey skies but the weather was dry and the pitch looked in good shape despite last week's game being called off due to water-logging. The action was non-stop with quick, incisive passing and chances at each end, and United's first came in the third minute. Ashbee played the ball into the box, Jamie Campbell got on the end of it but his effort was going wide and Trevor Benjamin couldn't quite direct the ball goalwards.

In the seventh minute Alex Russell took a superb quick free kick and found Paul Wanless racing into acres of space, but United's skipper stumbled at the crucial moment and couldn't quite get on the end of the pass. Two minutes later, after some great interplay in United's midfield, Russell flicked the ball through to John Taylor but the ball was punched off the striker's head by Ian Bowling.

In the fourteenth minute came Mansfield's first real chance as Lee Williams broke down the right, but his cross was missed by Tony Lormor and Shaun Marshall smothered the ball. A minute later Taylor, who was playing in a withdrawn position on the right, made a poor defensive header which went to Mansfield's Clarke, but the striker's first time shot was saved by Marshall.

On 31 minutes came United's deserved breakthrough when a Marshall goal-kick went to Martin Butler, he threaded a great ball inside the full-back to Alex Russell (right) and the midfielder took the ball on before sliding it under Bowling from 15 yards out and into the far corner.

United struck again four minutes later at what has been an unhappy hunting ground for some years. Russell played another free-kick into the box, Trevor Benjamin collected a knock-down and used his strength, quick feet and admirable close-control to weave through two challenges before curling a shot into the top corner. United were dominating the free-flowing game by this stage and held on comfortably to the break. Referee Mr Jones deserves praise for his handling of the match as he made good use of the advantage rule and allowed the game to flow. (Half-time 2-0)

Mansfield's half-time team talk inspired them to fight back at the beginning of the second half and the U's were pressed back into defence. But Andy Duncan was having another excellent game at the heart of the defence and United broke away to extend the lead on 51 minutes. From just inside the United half the inspired Alex Russell supplied Martin Butler with a pin-point through ball, allowing the striker to take the ball in his stride and run through to slot the ball under Bowling for his tenth goal of the season.

In the 54th minute Butler forced a double-save from the goalkeeper and had another shot pushed wide a minute later. Mansfield brought top scorer Iyseden Christie off the bench at this stage as he replaced defender Lee Williams and he turned the tide in Mansfield's favour for a period. Within three minutes Lormor squared the ball to the speedy striker six yards out, but he mis-kicked and fell over! Ten minutes later Steve Harper's shot from the edge of the area clipped the heels of another Mansfield player and trickled wide.

After 74 minutes that man Christie turned Andy Duncan but 18-year-old partner Martin McNeil made a good recovery and put the striker under pressure, and Christie put his shot well over the bar. In the 75th minute Martin Butler burst into the area to get on the end of a Russell through ball, but Bowling was out fast to block. Four minutes later a carbon-copy move saw Butler again released by Russell and the striker jinked inside onto his right foot, but this time his shot was well saved.

It was substitute Christie who brought about Mansfield's consolation goal. He burst into the box and was tackled from behind by Martin McNeil who won the ball cleanly, but Mr Jones awarded a spot-kick. Record signing Lee Peacock stepped up to score a good penalty to make the score 3-1. Christie had the final chance of an exciting game in the 91st minute. His shot across the face of goal took a deflection but Shaun Marshall made a good save.

United have now won six out of nine away games in the League, but reporter Mark Johnson pointed out that Mansfield were by no means a poor side today. United were just better. Unsurprisingly he named Alex Russell as his Man of the Match.

This victory sees the U's rise one place to fourth in the table, level on points with four other sides on 27 points and separated only by the tally of goals scored. Elsewhere Peterboring United lost 4-2 at home at Rotherham after leading 2-0, and 'Billy' Beall made his long-delayed Leyton Orient debut as they won 1-0 against Scunthorpe.