25/02/2008 - Mansfield 1 Chester 3
It is a sign of the times that even ardent Mansfield fans are now giving more than a passing glance to the Blue Square Premier table in their Sunday paper.
And with results like this, it is easy to see why faith is ebbing away.
Having failed to win any of their previous 12 games, Chester were visibly low on confidence at Field Mill.
So, six home defeats on the bounce or not, Mansfield should have had the wherewithal to put that atrocious run to bed - especially after the previous week's morale-boosting win at Darlington.
Initially, the players seemed to believe that the time was right to end their home hoodoo, even if they were made to wait until the final minute of the first half to go in front through Johnny Mullins.
His powerful header, from a right-wing Matt Hamshaw corner, was his first League goal of the season and Mansfield's first direct from a flag kick since the opening weeks of the season.
A goal at such a time should have been just the tonic the Stags needed.
Yet once Chester had grabbed a 57th-minute equaliser through Kevin Ellison, the heads of the home side went down and there was only ever going to be one winner.
From looking solid at the back, the Stags suddenly looked all over the shop and the two goals that followed were as inevitable as they were predictable.
Some would argue Chester's second goal - netted by Tony Dinning - was not a penalty as Jefferson Louis was adjudged to have pulled over Paul Linwood.
But it all stemmed from an error by goalkeeper Carl Muggleton and without it, the situation would never have arisen.
And while Mansfield did throw players forwards in the latter stages, helping Chester collect their game-clinching third, the home defenders will be disappointed they did not clear the danger prior to Ellison's slick finish.
"Down with the Wrexham" sang the gleeful Chester fans in the closing stages, as they celebrated an unexpected victory with the same relief as boss Bobby Williamson who, it was rumoured, was on the brink of losing his job.
It was an enthusiasm not shared by the long-suffering home support who felt let down once more by their team's self-destruction.
All week the Mansfield players had talked about supporters getting behind them and staying patient if things began to go wrong. That, they said, would help alleviate their anxiety.
And the Mansfield followers did just that - backing their team to the hilt, even after seeing a 1-0 advantage replaced by a 2-1 visitors' lead.
It was only after Chester had scored their game-clinching third in stoppage time did the cheers turn to jeers. Only then did they vent their anger.
Perhaps adding an extra decibel or two to their boos was the frustration that, Dagenham aside, none on the other teams around them had won.
Boss Billy Dearden remained steadfast in his belief that Mansfield will escape their predicament; that things will get better.
But the question is: how many more golden chances will the Stags get to pull themselves clear of the danger zone?
Time and again the team have fluffed their lines on the back of an encouraging display - to the point where they have still to record consecutive victories.
In fact, the depressing list of opportunities stretches all the way back to before the new year when the Stags slumped to a home defeat to Accrington just days after seeing off promotion-chasing Peterborough.
Of course, there are plenty of matches for Mansfield to prove Dearden right. After all, there are 15 games left to go, which equates to just under a third of their League Two fixture list.
But the penny must drop soon or it is going to be too late.
Without the momentum gained from an unbeaten run, rather than a continual win-one-lose-one sequence, it is going to be difficult for the Stags to save their skins.
With that in mind, the hour has come for the players to take responsibility for what is going on. The time for excuses is over.
Time and again over the last few weeks, Mansfield have shown on their travels they are capable of winning games against some of the best teams in the division.
You do not triumph at the likes of Lincoln, Wycombe and Darlington without having some capable footballers.
It is simply down to a question of belief. Those in amber have to back their ability to get the job done - starting against Bury tomorrow night.
Otherwise, supporters could soon be planning trips to Histon, Forest Green Rovers and Salisbury City, rather than just reading about them from the comfort of their armchairs.