Bourne Town beat Selston in Division One of the United Counties League

Bourne Town maintained their 12-point lead at the top of the United Counties League Division One table with a tidy away success on Saturday.

The Wakes safely negotiated a potentially tricky trip to Selston to return home with the points after a 3-1 victory.

It was Bourne's first outing for a fortnight after back-to-back postponements since their top of the table triumph over Clipstone and manager Michael Goode felt his side had taken their time to hit their stride.

He said: "We came off the high of the Clipstone match where we were really firing and all we wanted to do was get straight into the next game on the Tuesday night.

"That game and last Saturday's were both called off so it was almost a case of resetting because the Clipstone match was long gone.

"I felt we were rusty in terms of not playing in front of an atmosphere like we get at home and because we had only been training for two weeks without a game.

"We were comfortable but rusty."

The Wakes had made the long trek to Mansfield with a full-strength squad which included new signing Jack Wilson.

They took the lead just past the half-hour mark when Zac Allen's inswinging corner was headed on by Richard Jones with Selston's Josh Scott then turning it into his own net.

The advantage was doubled six minutes into the second half when Will Bird was pushed after a free-kick had been put into the penalty area and he stepped up to score the resultant spot kick.

The win was sealed with 13 minutes remaining when another Allen setpiece picked out Robbie Ellis whose goalbound header was flicked home by substitute James Hill-Seekings.

Selston struck a consolation with six minutes remaining as goalkeeper Dan Swan fumbled a ball on the edge of his area and Martin Bassey took advantage as Bourne's run of back-to-back clean sheets was ended.

However, it was too little too late to get the hosts back into the game as Bourne's secured their 22nd league win of the season in front of a healthy travelling contingent of Wakes fans.

Goode added: "The boys really appreciate the support and it was great to see all those who had made a long trip.

"It's a tough place to go and you have to create your tempo which is hard but we got the job done which is the most important thing."

Bourne are back in action at the JJ Mac Stadium on Saturday when they host Rainworth.

The Wakes' second string were beaten at home on Saturday in a Reserve Division clash of the high-flyers.

Third-placed Bourne lost 4-1 against Harborough who currently occupy second spot. Ed Robinson scored their goal.