Important win keeps U's well in promotion hunt.
The U's took all the points at home to Mansfield to make it eleven home wins at the Weston Homes Community on a cold Tuesday night.
John McGreal's men were never behind, with two first half goals coming through Brennan Dickenson and Sammie Szmodics.
McGreal only made one change to the starting eleven, with Rekeil Pyke replacing the injured Owen Garvan.
Both teams had decent chances in the early stages of the game, with Szmodics flashing his shot wide of the post whilst Matt Green fired over Sam Walker's goal from close range.
However it was the U's who broke the deadlock; Sean Murray whipped the ball across the pitch to Dickenson who breezed past his man into the box.
After doing the hard work, his finish didn't disappoint, as he calmly rolled the ball past Shearer and into the goal off the post.
After doing the hard work, his finish didn't disappoint, as he calmly rolled the ball past Shearer and into the goal off the post.
The visitors almost hit back instantly after Rhys Bennett found himself in space following a Mansfield free-kick, but his effort was well blocked by George Elokobi.
With the U's next attacking move it was 2-0.
For the second time in the game Dickenson found himself in space on the left hand side. He picked out Szmodics who controlled the ball instantly on the penalty spot, swivelled and placed the ball into the side netting.
For the second time in the game Dickenson found himself in space on the left hand side. He picked out Szmodics who controlled the ball instantly on the penalty spot, swivelled and placed the ball into the side netting.
It could have been three just before half time after Szmodics burst through on goal but somehow the ball managed to escape his grasp.
The second half was wave after wave of Mansfield attack. Both Malvind Benning and Matt Green had chances in the opening phases but neither could convert from inside the area.
Danny Rose came on for the visitors and caused trouble for the remainder of the game, winning a high percentage of his headers but nothing was falling for the visitors.
Sam Walker was called into action with ten minutes left and made a smart double save to deny both Shaquile Coulthirst and Matt Green.
Chris Porter had a half chance in injury time but could poke his effort goalwards.
It didn't end up being important, though, as the U's saw out the game and preserved their clean sheet with a very professional performance.
It didn't end up being important, though, as the U's saw out the game and preserved their clean sheet with a very professional performance.
The 2-0 victory means Dickenson has moved into double figures for goals this season, with tonight's goal putting him on ten whilst Szmodics netted his fifth of the campaign.
The U’s now sit ninth on 54 points with the playoffs and Exeter in sight, just three points ahead, with fifth and sixth place also well within reach.