Dan Branowsky reports from Field Mill

Mansfield kicked off the season in style this afternoon with a convincing 3-1 victory over Forest Green Rovers, a game which saw an impressive debut from Paul Connor who bagged a brace in his first competitive game in a Mansfield shirt.

Both teams have had an encouraging pre-season, most notably Forest Green's 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers and Mansfield's 3-1 victory over Alfreton last Saturday.

Last season Mansfield did the league double over Forest Green so confidence was high at Field Mill before the match.

Forest Green's starting line up saw former Stags Luke Jones and Craig Armstrong start in defence whilst Paul Stonehouse travelled in opposite directions after signing for Mansfield from Forest Green in the summer. New boys Paul Connor and Keigan Parker started upfront for the Yellows and debuts were also handed to Adam Smith, Tyrone Thompson and Chris Smith. Steve Foster returned to the club where it all started, now captaining the side.

The game started positively for the Stags and a number of chances were created after great work on the right hand side. Louis Briscoe put in a number of good balls and 10 minutes in he linked up with Silk who made a great overlapping run to put a dangerous ball in across the box.As the half went on Mansfield started to dominate the game more and more and certainly asked all the questions. 12 minutes into the half, Adam Smith put in a dangerous ball which fell to Louis Briscoe who found a yard of space before hitting his effort over the bar.Smith and Briscoe on opposite wings really impressed in the first half and combined again after 18 minutes whenBriscoe found Smith on the edge of the area but his shot was blocked by the keepers outstretching leg.

After 25 minutes Adam Smith used his pace to his advantage as he took off on a mazy run down the right hand side before cutting in and firing a shot which seemed destined for the right hand corner, if it wasn't for Bittners glove.

Forest Green had very few chances but Styche threatened to break behind the Mansfield defence but Stags Captain Steve Foster kept a cool head to see the ball out.

Adam Smith continued to cause problems throughout the half, scaring the life out of the opposition. After 30 minutes he put in a teasing cross which seemed to be heading for the top corner, if it wasn't for Bittner's outstretched glove.

The best chance of the match came with 5 minutes of the half left after a mistake from Caines let in Parker who was one on one with the keeper but his shot was a weak effort and parried away by the keeper.

In the final minute of the half Smith chested a long ball down nicely before having another crack at goal from distance, which was hit well but wide.

It didn't take long for the Stags to find a goal in the second half and a minute in Silk broke down the right hand side behind the Forest Green defence before pulling it back to Paul Connor whose shot was deflected into the net, a deserved goal for Mansfield who dominated the match.

Forest Green equalised after 51 minutes when a free kick from 20 yards out met the head of Caines whose looping header found the top right corner.The goal was a shock to the system for Mansfield, after being completely on top of the game they found themselves pegged back at 1-1.

Shortly after Mills played in hit man Parker who was in a blatant offside position when perhaps a shot at goal would have been wiser.

The furious tempo didn't slow down and Mansfield got their noses back in front after 58 minutes when Briscoe put in a deep cross which the keeper came out and flapped at leading the ball to fall kindly to Mills, who floated the ball into an empty net. A shame for Bittner after he had such a good first half.

60 minutes in Briscoe carried on his terrific play by putting in another menacing ball into the box, which the keeper palmed away but the ball fell to Connor who should've opened up his account for the Stags, but his shot came off the inside of the post and cleared off the line. A few fans may have thought it went over the line but the assistant was having none of it.

Forest Green started to put on a period of sustained pressure on the Stags around the 70^th minute. The visiting team had a number of free kicks which they committed men forward for. Rovers only really seemed dangerous from set-pieces throughout the entire match and they really looked to take advantage of them.

Mansfield made their first substitute of the game on the 69^th minute when manager David Holdsworth took off Parker and handed Luke Medley his home debut, who made an immediate impact, nearly getting on the end of a hopeful ball which Bittner just managed to gather.

Mansfield put the game beyond doubt in the 72nd min when a terrific through ball from Thompson found experienced striker Connor who was one on one with the keeper who finished beautifully.

Mansfield's second sub of the match came on the 79^th minute, the impressive Smith making way for Ashley Cain. A minute later, Medley had a shot cleared off the line by Cain from a tight angle who did everything right, but was unfortunate not to see the ball go in.

The game was played in good spirits but Fowler was booked for a nasty challenge in the 84^th minute, along with Silk who was held up for an earlier challenge which the referee gave Forest Green an advantage for.

The final substitutes were used with 5 minutes to go, man of the match and two goal hero Paul Connor coming off for Steven Istead.

Tyrone Thompson continued to make amends for a relatively poor first half display by firing a powerful effort at the keeper from 20 yards out and shortly after put in a nicely weighted ball towards Cain who's cross didn't manage to find anyone.

In the final minutes of the match, Mansfield continued to pressurise Forest Green and some nice passing play between Cain and Medley summed up a positive and encouraging display.

The match ended 3-1 and the manager will be encouraged by what he saw here this afternoon.