Wrexham moved to within three points of League One's automatic promotion places courtesy of a 2-1 win at Mansfield Town.

Calum MacDonald scored at either end early on, although Max Cleworth struck a fine winner for the away side just before the hour mark.

Victory means Wrexham - currently third - are just three points behind Wycombe Wanderers with 14 games of the regular season remaining.

Mansfield - now winless in 10 games - sit 15th.

Wrexham flew out of the traps at the One Call Stadium and were gifted the opener inside two minutes as MacDonald inexplicably turned Ollie Rathbone's cross into his own net.

Rathbone was a real threat on the left flank and saw his teasing cross clip the outside of the far post minutes later.

The Stags - who had lost eight of their past nine matches across all competitions - were on the ropes and had Stephen McLaughlin to thank for hacking away Jay Rodriguez's goalbound effort after Sam Smith beat goalkeeper Scott Flinders to the ball.

Just when Nigel Clough may have been fearing the worst, MacDonald turned from villain to hero as he stretched to guide Keanu Baccus's cross into the net at the back post to level proceedings with his first competitive goal for Mansfield and his side's first at home in more than a month.

On his first league start since joining Wrexham from Hull City in January, Ryan Longman was unable to adjust to guide Rathbone's latest inviting delivery on target at the back post.

The visitors were dealt a blow before half time as Andy Cannon had to be replaced by Matty James after sustaining what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

Phil Parkinson's side started the second half as they did the first and came close to regaining the lead after Mansfield failed to clear James' free-kick, although Cleworth rifled against the crossbar after latching on to George Dobson's scuffed effort.

But Wrexham's pressure was rewarded in the 58th minute as Seb Revan's cross fell to Cleworth who drilled into the net from 20 yards out - his eighth goal of the campaign in all competitions.

George Maris' tame effort was easily saved by Arthur Okonkwo at the other end as Wrexham's second half dominance guided them to another crucial victory in their quest for a third successive promotion.

It means Wrexham have won three away English Football League games in succession for the first time since August 2003.

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales:

"A big performance I think is more important from my point of view. I thought the way we played today in very difficult conditions was very good.

"We played like a team at the top end of this division who deserves to be there and that's how we've got to play to win games of football at this level.

"Right through the team it was eight out of 10 performances. We probably should have won the game by more if we're honest, but a great finish from Max [Cleworth] has got us the three points."