PICK the bones out of that one! The defiant message went out from an exultant Abbey Stadium to Cardiff City and all of the other pretenders to the third division title.

This was not so much a bounce back after Barnet as a reverse bungee jump. Ever seen one of those. It is frightening, just like Cambridge United's 51-goal attack in top gear.

Mansfield arrived with a mean reputation (three goals conceded in five games). They played well and they played hard. David Preece has the cuts and bruises to prove it. But they dragged themselves off the pitch a battered and bewildered team, wondering what was the number of the bus that flattened them as United stormed to the biggest home win in their 29-year League history.

Brilliant Martin Butler led the way with the first hat-trick of his career, making and taking the goals which broke a good side in a 15 minute spell, interrupted by the half time break. He regained the lead in the 33rd minute, three minutes after Tony Lormer cancelled out John Taylor's early score.

But it was not until the 24-year-old striker supplied the pass for Trevor Benjamin to make it 3-1 seconds before the interval that anyone in the Stadium began to believe United could win the game at all, let alone by a record score.

With Taylor and Butler already on the sheet, the Stags must have known they were heading for defeat when the rookie among the front three conjured a wonder goal.

Everyone knows about Benjamin's power, but here was touch and imagination which gave the 20-year-old player an extra dimension. Checking at the edge of the box after Butler sent him on a breakaway, he stopped dead, watched as two defenders lunged in and chipped the ball over them and the keeper.

If Steve Parkin tried to tell his men during the break how to handle the terrifying trio his words must have lodged only momentarily in the brain before disappearing out of the other ear. Benjamin continued to find acreas of room on the left flank, Butler made his tireless runs uncumbered by a marker and Taylor, whose 13th minute goal equalled Alan Biley's League record for United of 74, was always in enough space to receive a pass.

The skill and understanding that made the visitors such formidable opponents in the first half, as well as the toughness which dumped player-coach Preece on the deck half a dozen painful times, suddenly disintegrated.

Butler admitted: "Mansfield were one of the best footballing teams we've met this season."

And Neil Mustoe said: "We didn't deserve to lose 3-0 at Barnet last week, but I think a fair result to this game would have been something like 5-3.

Curiously what turned a defeat into a drubbing was probably Mansfield's other goal, a penalty making it 4-2 midway through the second half. Sixth in the table, in the thick of the play-offs dogfight, they knew they had to put everything into attack. But it was a wild-eyed bid as dangerous as leaving the back door open when not one, but three big bad wolves were on the prowl.

Hunting in a pack United's strikers produced the back-breaking fifth goal, in the 78th minute - Benjamin cross, Taylor header, Butler hat-trick. Heads went down throughout the Stags side and there was hardly even token resistance when Mustoe and substitute Richard Walker racked up the record score.

The only slight disappointment was an attendance surprisingly 600 down on the previous match. But I am sure the excitement of shopping, or the thrill of England's seven-kick victory over France was some consolation for missing United's biggest home win. And anyway, all of you who chose not to go will be getting a fan's eye view from your mates -- for about the next 10 years.

Once again the fans of Cambridge United began their trip home to the tune of 'I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts' as football from the top draw put the U's into seventh heaven, and maintained their position at the top of Division Three. Perhaps a more fitting tune would have been from the evergreen Cher whose recent hit 'believe' sums up the afternoons events quite well, many people simply couldn't.

The last few performances have hinted, whispered and suggested various positive and negative things regarding our push for promotion and aspirations for next season. Today's message could not have been more explicit. The team were on fire, and the smoke from this pulsating performance of skill, power and class could almost be touched. Each goal we scored could spell out one letter in the gigantic message this display projected onto the Cambridge evening sky..."going up."

The game began with the visitors dominating the midfield, and looking both creative and ambitious going forward. They were passing the ball around competently as United seemed to be suffering from a hang over after last week's drubbing at Barnet. Lee Peacock was causing our defenders problems with his pace, yet fortunately it was United who struck the first blow.

John Taylor levelled Alan Biley's league goal-scoring record as he gave the U's the lead shortly before the quarter hour mark. Superb work from Paul Wanless on the edge of the box followed by the killer pass enabled Taylor to side-step a defender before lashing the ball home from 8 yards.

Mansfield continued to look dangerous going forward. Just five minutes later United were fortunate after Arjan Van Heusden struck a clearance straight at Kerr who fed the ball to Lormer who had the unprotected goal to aim for. Amazingly he placed his shot wide. This setback did not force Mansfield into their shells though, it appeared to make them more determined to level the match before half time. On the half-hour mark they achieved this aim, albeit briefly. Neat play on the edge of the penalty box set Lormer free behind the defence. The striker made up for his earlier miss as he chipped the ball over the advancing Van Heusden.

It was almost as though scoring that goal was Mansfield's undoing. They sensed victory, and went for it, which left large gaps in their defence and made for one of the most entertaining fixtures of the season. United took the lead again just three minutes later, as they scored a carbon copy goal to that of Manchester United's against Inter Milan in midweek. Trevor Benjamin headed down Neil Mustoe's cross into the path of top-scorer Martin Butler who fired a shot underneath the Mansfield goalkeeper. It might not have put United into the last four of the European Cup, but once again put them back on top of the Nationwide League Division Three table.

Then what I consider to be the most important event of the match occurred. Two minutes before the end of the half Kerr forced a breathtaking save from Arjan Van Heusden after he had met a cross from Harper. The rebound bounced up, and looked as though it would be nodded home at the second attempt. Fine work from Ben Chenery and Van Heusden put the striker off and he headed over the bar much to the delight of the crowd. This miss was compounded a few moments later as United extended their lead. Martin Butler repaid the earlier compliment and supplied Trevor Benjamin with a fine through ball which he controlled before unleashing a chip shot which Tiger Woods would have been proud. It flew over the 'keeper and defender's heads before resting in the back of the net.

The second half was a surprisingly nearvous affair, despite the fact it only took United 3 minutes to extend their lead further. Steve Harper shoved John Taylor in the back as he was shaping to shoot inside the box, and Martin Butler coolly dispatched the resulting penalty to score his 19th goal of the season. For the next two minutes United simply tore the Mansfield defence to shreds, and Trevor Benjamin had two glorious opportunities to score his second goal of the match. Martin Butler closed down a clearance, and set the teenage sensation clear through on goal but his finish was wayward.

The game then lapsed into a rather low-key affair, with United convinced they had done enough to secure the points, and Mansfield seemingly resigned to yet another away defeat. All this changed on 64 minutes when the visitors were awarded a highly dubious penalty. The same player who pushed John Taylor over in the box, was apparently held back by Ben Chenery. Neither he, his teammates or the away supporters appealed for the penalty which is perhaps one of the 'softest' I can ever remember being awarded. Lee Peacock dispatched the spot kick to pull Mansfield back into the game.

For the next few minutes, well 18 to be exact, Mansfield began to play like they were at the beginning of the match. They were finding time and space down the Jamie Campbell 'guarded' right flank, and were unlucky not to see the deficit reduced further. United then killed the game off once and for all. Martin Butler released Trevor Benjamin down the left side, and his accurate cross met John Taylor who watched Martin Butler finish off the move, his hat trick, and Mansfield Town with a neat header from 5 yards with the clock showing 12 minutes remaining. The score-line then began to take on ludicrous form, as United scored twice more in the final moments of the game. Neil Mustoe latched onto a poor clearance from Ian Bowling in the Mansfield goal and chipped over him from 30 yards to spark yet another wild celebration on the terrace.

In the dying seconds Richard Walker, who had replaced John Taylor five minutes before the end, finished the afternoons scoring with his first league goal for the club. Andy Duncan set Ben Chenery clear down the right wing, and the young defender kept a cool head to pick out the Aston Villa striker who side footed home to send United into seventh heaven for only the second time in their short league history.

Mansfield were unlucky to have been beaten so heavily, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe them as one of the best teams we have come up against this season. Their passing and approach play was neat and effective, but they let many chances go begging. In comparison the clinical nature of United was pleasing to witness, as well as the way the team seemed capable of scoring at will.

This result and performance will inject some much-needed and timely confidence into the whole squad after a few average performances and the heaviest league defeat of the season. I can't help but feel sorry for Mansfield, as they appear to be a team after our own hearts. Playing decent football in this division isn't easy, but it was not just United who made this match an entertaining spectacle which was a credit to Third Division Football.

Defeating a side who have realistic ambitions of automatic promotion from this division in such emphatic style bodes well for the completion of this season's aims. It also adds another line of the list of reasons which suggest United will be more than able to compete in the Second Division. The U's are going up? If you don't believe it now you probably never will.

Man of the match: Martin Butler scored the first hat trick of his career, as Cambridge United scored seven league goals at the Abbey for the first time in their history. His work rate and finishing was of a stunningly high standard. "Butler give us a wave" the fans chanted, and he duly obliged. I just pray he wasn't waving goodbye...

The day started well with a nice young lady in the Supporters Club pressing money into my hand. That's the sort of girl for me. All she has to do now to be absolutely perfect is own a pub!

David S. joined Dave Brown, Peter and myself in the draw ticket swap. 3rd prize was won by Mark S. 2 tables away, 4th prize by Robert on the next table, and if there had been a 5th prize I'm sure someone on our table would have won!

David Preece started at #11 with the rest of the team as expected, subs were Walker, Ashbee and Youngs.

Mansfield started by attacking the Abbey, and showed why they are near the top of the division. Their passing and moving was good, and they pulled our defenders out of position to create space for others to run into. It was 8 minutes until we managed to mount an attack, which came to nothing. It was the start of a period of play with us pressing forward, and were rewarded on 12 minutes when Taylor got possession around the edge of their penalty area, sidestepped a defender and finished with a clean shot past the 'keeper for 1-0.

Mansfield looked dangerous and should have done better when a Van Heusden clearance hit Duncan and fell for their forward about 15 yards out, but luckily his shot went just wide.

Benjamin put in a good cross which was headed back to Butler but a defender just got in a tackle to take the ball off his toes. Preece was playing well in the middle, but seemed to be a marked man as there were a number of late tackles on him which eventually meant he didn't come out for the second half. Mansfield were awarded a free kick a few yards outside our area when Mustoe apparently fouled their player despite winning the ball cleanly! Although the free kick was defended easily, the ball fell kindly for them and a through ball to their forward was finished off with class by lifting the ball over the diving Van Heusden from the corner of the 6-yard box. There was more than a hint of offside, but the goal stood for 1-1.

We responded almost immediately, Mustoe and Chenery combining for Mustoe to cross, the ball headed down for Butler to finish from a few yards out to make it 2-1. 5 minutes later a Campbell cross was missed by a defender and a surprised Taylor could not quite make contact.

0n 42 minutes it should have been 2-2, a good cross was headed goalwards from 6 yards, hit Van Heusden's feet (actually a good save), bounced up invitingly for the forward who managed to head over the bar from a few yards. The miss was to prove costly as in injury time Butler and Benjamin combined to give Benjamin a chance from the edge of the penalty area. With the 'keeper advancing time seemed to stand still as he decided what to do, eventually he lobbed the keeper and the ball dropped into the open net for 3-1.

Ashbee came on for Preece at the start of the second half. Mansfield had their #5 booked in the first minute for a late tackle on Taylor. He got his revenge a minute later when he was fouled about 8 yards out as he was about to shoot, Butler put away the resulting penalty to make it 4-1. 2 minutes later Butler blocked a clearance, the ball fell to Benjamin who passed to Taylor, who passed back for Benjamin to blast high and wide, a feat he repeated later. Taylor also managed to back heel the ball into the net as we continued to excert pressure, but it was dis-allowed for offside.

Chenery headed away from in front of goal after Van Heusden dropped the ball following a firm challenge, but on 17 minutes undid his good work by pulling back a forward in the penalty area when a group of defenders failed to clear the ball, the resulting penalty was scored to make it 4-2. This fired up Mansfield, and they had a bit of pssession, but couldn't make anything of it. Benjamin missed another chance, the ball going across goal on the 6 yard line, he stuck out a leg and got toes to the ball but couldn't get the ball on target with a totally open goal!

We continued to press forward, Butler had a good shot saved, a good shot from Ashbee was deflected for a corner, the same happened with a goalbound shot from Duncan, and another Butler shot went wide. Benjamin got free on the wing, put over a good far post cross to Taylor, his header across goal was probably going just wide, but Butler got a touch to deflect it inside the post to make the score 5-2.

Despite being well ahead, on 36 minutes Butler closed down the keeper as he kicked near the edge of his penalty area which resulted in a poor kick straight to Mustoe, who controlled the ball then lobbed the out of position 'keeper from about 30 yards for 6-2.

Taylor made way for Walker after the goal, and a minute from the end of normal time Butler came off for Youngs. In the 48th minute Chenery found himself with the ball in their area, pulled the ball back for Walker to make it 7-2, just before the final whistle blew. At the end Taylor made sure Butler got the match ball for his hat-trick.

So 3 valuable points from a surprising final result. Mansfield were one of the best teams we have played this season, and if they had gone into the lead we may have struggled. Last week we didn't deserve to have lost 3-0, and Mansfield will probably say exactly the same about this game. The result is what counts, and it must worry any other team we have to play when they see what we did to a team in the play-off places! Not surprisingly many of the Mansfield fans left before the end.

I've said before that we play better against the "footballing" sides, and that was proved today, although Mansfield helped by not seeming to want to mark anyone tightly! Benjamin could have been fighting Butler for the match ball if he'd taken some of the chances he got.

After a 7-2 win no-one in the team deserves a rating of less than 10! MoM is Butler for a hat-trick and usual unselfish running, in what we hope is not his last game for United with the transfer deadline looming. Apart from the way the opposition played, the difference from last week was Wanless with his battling qualities in the middle getting the team going. Preece also played well for the time he was on.

Back to the top where we belong, and our neighbours could only draw after being 2-0 up. Hee Hee.

The game kicked off in chilly conditions and a useful Mansfield side took the upper hand for the first five or six minutes, Lee Peacock arriving late in the box to meet a fifth minute corner unchallenged. United then began to exert some pressure of their own and in the eighth minute put together a four man move that culminated in Martin Butler picking out Trevor Benjamin, whose acrobatic effort was blocked away as far as John Taylor, but Taylor used his hand in controlling the ball.

In the 13th minute Taylor worked an opening as the goalkeeper lost the ball which ended with David Preece outside the box, Preece returned the ball to the danger zone finding John Taylor and the big striker coolly sidestepped a defender before beating Ian Bowling at his near post, equalling Alan Biley's league goals record.

Five minutes later Martin Butler spotted Bowling off his line and tried a speculative shot from 40 yards, but couldn't get enough height on the ball. Two minutes later United survived a real scare in defence when David Kerr broke through, Andy Duncan nudged him off the ball and the it ran through to Arjan Van Heusden, but the 'keeper's clearance hit Kerr and bounced to Lormor who scuffed his shot wide.

With 23 minutes gone Trevor Benjamin burst into the box and fired a shot across the face of goal. The ball was brilliantly retrieved by Taylor who passed to Martin Butler, but the ball was slightly behind him and the busy striker couldn't quite turn it in under pressure. David Kerr was booked a minute later for one of many lunging Mansfield tackles on David Preece.

Mansfield had been having plenty of success down their right, with Kerr and Williams giving Campbell a torrid time, and the Stags pressure told after 30 minutes when they levelled the score. United failed to clear their lines, L'helgoualch flicked the ball through to Tony Lormor who produced a neat finish over Van Heusden and inside the far post. But just three minutes later this resilient United side were back on top, a Neil Mustoe cross was flicked on by John Taylor for Martin Butler who controlled the ball on his chest and tucked it away.

In the 43rd minute Harper crossed for Kerr who forced a superb reflex save from Van Heusden, the ball rebounded as far as Kerr whose header was over the bar. Then United extended the lead in the second minute of stoppage time. Martin Butler found Trevor Benjamin with a superb through ball and the youngster held up the ball, waiting for the Stags defence to advance before he lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper and a defender. The goal was described to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire listeners by guest summariser John Motson.

Mansfield had created problems for United and were not out of the game by any means, while Roy McFarland was understood to be angry at the treatment handed out to David Preece. Referee Mr Brandwood might have been harder in that respect but overall he had allowed the game to flow and contributed to to an exciting first half. (Half-time 3-1)

Unsurprisingly the battered Preece was withdrawn at half-time to make way for Ian Ashbee, a player who could count himself a little unlucky not to be involved from the start, and with the ability to look after himself in a competitive game like this. He was involved in United's next goal in the 48th minute, after Benjamin had won the ball and found Ashbee he slid the ball to Taylor who was hauled down by Steve Harper. A penalty was rightly awarded and Martin Butler stepped up to send send Bowling the wrong way from the spot.

United's front-line threatened to continue their rampant form within the minute when Benjamin and Taylor linked up to create an opening for the young striker, but he blazed his shot over. Then Mansfield showed that they could not be counted out when Lormor beat Van Heusden to a through ball and got a cross in, but Andy Duncan headed the ball away from under his own crossbar.

The game continued to be competitive and Mansfield kept their hopes alive in the 64th minute when Lee Peacock scored from the spot after a controversial penalty decision. A Scott Eustace clearance hit a Mansfield player and bounced back to hit Eustace, but despite there being no appeals from the Mansfield players a penalty was awarded. Later reports showed that Ben Chenery had been harshly penalised for pulling back Lormor. Peacock duly tucked the ball under Van Heusden in front of the away fans. Five minutes later John Taylor was down for treatment after a harsh challenge from Gary Tallon, although play recommenced with a drop ball. Moments after that United won a freekick which was taken by Campbell, and a neat one-two saw Benjamin in the clear to scuff the ball wide, although the offside flag was up anyway.

United extended their lead to 5-2 and Martin Butler added a chunk to any prospective transfer fee when he completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute. With a great turn he found Benjamin who burst down the left before crossing the ball, Taylor knocked the ball goalwards and Butler was there to score his 20th goal of an excellent season. It was party-time at the Abbey four minutes later when Taylor chased a long ball towards the Mansfield goal. He was beaten there by Bowling who raced out of his area to clear, but only as far as Neil Mustoe who lobbed the ball into the net from 35 yards out, for his third goal of the season.

Richard Walker replaced John Taylor moments later, in the 83rd minute, and Martin Butler was allowed a very personal ovation in the 89th minute when he was replaced by Tom Youngs. The entire Main Stand rose to their feet to applaud United's hat-trick hero from the pitch, and most will be hoping fervently that today's was not his final game for Cambridge United.

There was still time to record an even more emphatic scoreline when in stoppage time Ben Chenery's cross from the right was met by Richard Walker, and the young Aston Villa striker scored his first ever league goal with a low shot inside the far post.

Cardiff City won at Exeter earlier this afternoon to briefly regain top spot in the division, but Cambridge United stormed back to the top in an emphatic style that no-one could have foreseen in view of recent performances and against a resurgent Mansfield side. Today's crowd was an amazingly disappointing 4,343, but as the Welsh side will be the next visitors to the Abbey Stadium on April 3rd there should not be many gaps in the stands for that game. Tickets are selling fast so if you haven't already got yours you know what to do on Monday!

Reporter Mark Johnson's Man of the Match was: "Martin Butler for the first hat-trick of his career. Arjan Van Heusden might have been an unlikely choice for the brilliant reflex save he made when the score was 2-1, but it has to be Butts."

Talking to Radio Cambridgeshire after the game Roy McFarland said that Martin Butler will be sold when it is right for Cambridge United and right for the player. However, contrary to some rumours that Barnet striker Scott McGleish was at the Abbey to watch today's game, the long-time target for McFarland was on the Barnet bench at Rochdale.