Scunthorpe United 0-4 Mansfield Town: Iron stare relegation in face after Stags thrashing
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Scunthorpe fans invaded the pitch with 15 minutes to go to protest at what seems to be their club's impeding relegation
Scunthorpe United's 72-year tenure in the English Football League hangs by a thread after they were thrashed 4-0 by Mansfield Town.
The Iron - who have won just four times all season - must win their final five matches and hope that two of Oldham, Barrow or Stevenage get fewer than two more points if they are to survive due to their vastly inferior goal difference.
Joe Nuttall had a great chance in the first minute for Scunthorpe, but his header flew wide of the post as League Two promotion-chasers Mansfield took control.
Jordan Bowery saw a close-range sixth-minute header go wide for the Stags, but it only took the visitors 10 more minutes to go ahead as Stephen McLaughlin bundled the ball home off Anthony Grant.
McLaughlin did get on the scoresheet soon after as he slotted in the rebound after Bowery had a shot saved and Ryan Stirk ended any hopes of a Scunthorpe comeback as he fought off a challenge and shot underneath Rory Watson for Mansfield's third.
It took a matter of seconds after the restart for Mansfield to add to their tally as Stephen Quinn broke down the left and saw a left-footed effort go in off the post.
Mansfield continued to create chances before play was halted with around 15 minutes to go as a number of Scunthorpe fans invaded the pitch to protest at their club's plight after fans had thrown tennis balls onto the field.
There was a further stoppage 10 minutes later after Mansfield substitute Danny Johnson's shot into the side netting saw the net become detached from the post.
The Iron are 13 points from safety while Mansfield climb to fourth after third-placed Port Vale won 3-2 at home to Oldham.