Bulls through following 2-0 win in league cup.

AFC Mansfield produced an impressive performance to claim a 2-0 victory over Dronfield, with Max Taylor opening his account for the Bulls before a second-half header from Heather sealed the win.

The Bulls started brightly and quickly began creating opportunities. Zach Reynolds was among the early threats, meeting a cross with a strong header, only to direct it straight at the goalkeeper.

Dronfield offered a warning of their own when former AFC man Luke Walker caught Jake Batty out and unleashed an effort which crashed against the crossbar.

The woodwork was soon rattling at the other end. A well-worked AFC Mansfield corner resulted in Mays striking the crossbar as the Bulls continued to apply pressure.

Blackburn then tried his luck from outside the area, although his speculative effort sailed over the bar.

Reynolds continued to cause problems, beating his marker before dragging his effort wide as AFC Mansfield increasingly looked the better of the two sides.

Heather then found Taylor in a difficult position, with the forward doing well to twist and get a shot away from a tight angle, only to drag his effort wide.

The visitors threatened again when what appeared to be a cross sailed towards goal and struck the crossbar, leaving JT rooted to the spot.

AFC responded with another excellent move as Taylor played a neat one-two with Fox, whose resulting effort struck the post before going out of play.

The Bulls' pressure eventually paid off.

A dangerous cross from Reynolds found Taylor, who fired home to grab his first goal in an AFC Mansfield shirt and give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

AFC continued to search for a second goal, with Taylor seeing another effort comfortably dealt with by the goalkeeper before Fox followed up with a low-driven shot which went wide.

Another well-worked corner then ended with Fox getting a shot away and forcing the Dronfield goalkeeper into action.

Dolan was next to test the visitors' stopper, producing an excellent strike which looked destined to be a memorable goal before the goalkeeper pulled off another fine save.

Reynolds continued to deliver quality into the penalty area and picked out Taylor with another excellent ball. Taylor met it with a header, but once again the Dronfield keeper was there to deny him.

Taylor then tried his luck from distance, sending a powerful effort narrowly wide as AFC continued to dominate the chances.

Eventually, the Bulls found the second goal their performance had been building towards.

Coupe produced a cracking delivery into the box and Heather was left free to meet it with a header, making no mistake as he nodded home to double AFC Mansfield's advantage.

There was still time for more flowing football from the Bulls, with another excellent passage of play eventually falling to Dainty, whose effort was dragged wide.

The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory for AFC Mansfield after a performance full of attacking threat and plenty of encouraging football.