Jake Speight and Kyle Perry grabbed a goal apiece as Mansfield Town edged out Cambridge United to close the gap on the Blue Square Premier pacesetters.
Courtney Pitt, Chris Holroyd and Danny Crow all went close for United.
But Perry, who also missed a great early chance, volleyed the Stags ahead only for Holroyd to convert Anthony Tonkin's cross to level the scores.
However second-half substitute Speight smashed home a loose ball to secure maximum points for the home side.
The victory means the Stags are now 12 points behind leaders Oxford United and 10 points adrift of second-placed Stevenage Borough - both of whom were held to draws.
Mansfield manager David Holdsworth told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"It's a wonderful victory for us. We knew we were going to have to dig in today.
"I cant speak highly enough of their mannerisms. They led from the front and there were some solid performances out there.
"I think in recent games it hasn't gone our way and we haven't had that slice of luck or good fortune. Today we earned that"
Cambridge manager Martin Ling today BBC Radio Cambridgeshire:
"I thought for the first half we were the better team. We passed it well and we passed it better than them.
"We keep talking about we're doing right but what we're doing wrong is we're letting them score too easily.
"I think the young centre-halves got caught out for their second goal and that's what cost us."
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