Zak Munton scores the winner as Bourne Town beat AFC Mansfield in the United Counties League
An injury-time winner from Zak Munton helped Bourne Town complete a hat-trick of United Counties League victories on Saturday.
The Wakes had seen Brad Marshall's first half opener cancelled out by a contentious Ryan Ingram penalty with 10 minutes remaining of their Premier Division North clash at AFC Mansfield.
However, Munton smashed home a stoppage time strike to secure a vital victory for the second-placed Wakes against one of their promotion rivals.
Manager Michael Goode was delighted at the performance of his side who were cheered to victory by a strong travelling contingent of Bourne fans.
The Wakes boss said: "It was an amazing ending and it's what you do it for.
"It was just brilliant because Mansfield are a big and physical side and we matched them in every department.
"We played really good territory, were very sensible and grew half a foot in physicality.
"We worked hard and it was a really good result after a great performance.
"I was proud of the effort, work-rate and the way that the players dug in. Everyone put in a huge shift and it was a reward for the fans who had travelled to support us."
An end-to-end contest had seen Tom Siddons send a first half effort over the home crossbar before Bourne suffered a setback when skipper Robbie Ellis was forced off due to injury.
Aaron Eyett was introduced and formed a strong partnership with the impressive Shaun Archer at the heart of the Bourne midfield.
Player assistant boss Dan Flack made a vital block after Bourne goalkeeper Dan Swan had been caught out by the undulating playing surface before the Wakes custodian made a crucial save shortly afterwards to keep the game deadlocked.
Bourne made the vital breakthrough six minutes before half-time when Munton's pinpoint corner picked out Marshall to power home a header at the back post.
Siddons came close to doubling the advantage after the break as he rolled a shot agonisingly wide after a mix-up in the Bulls' defence.
Swan made another vital stop with Flack again getting in the way of a goalbound shot before Eyett went close at the other end.
The Bulls then got back into the game with seven minutes remaining when Marshall was penalised after grappling with a home forward in the area and Ingram converted the spot kick.
However, Bourne had the final say as the match moved into the second minute of stoppage time as Will Bird's ball found Siddons who cushioned it into the path of Munton to rifle home the winner.
Goode added: "It's been a great comeback after a poor February by winning three on the bounce after going out of the FA Vase.
"I didn't believe that losing run was all to do with the FA Vase but maybe some of it was to do with it and we were over-thinking things."
Summer signing Martin Tudosa has departed the Wakes to return to former club Blackstones who are in the Division One play-off places.
Goode said: "Martin just wants to play regularly and you can't stop a young lad from doing that.
"He's been brilliant for us and he will have learned lots."
Defender Brad Gothard has played for Southern League Division One Central side Welwyn Garden City in the past couple of games.
