Keigan Parker, Louis Briscoe and Lee Gregory were on the scoresheet as Mansfield Town clinched a 3-1 victory away to Eastwood in a match which saw three penalties.

Tempers flared on occasions in this pre-season encounter between two clubs separated by ten miles and one league division.  The encounter was keenly-fought and Stags were made to work hard for their win by their Conference North hosts.

Moments before kick off, both Eastwood and Mansfield observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect for former Stags' Chairman and long-serving director John Almond, whose death was announced today.

Inside the opening five minutes, Keigan Parker, Stags' captain for the night, chipped a beautifully weighted ball to Ashley Cain on the right, and the winger's cross met Paul Connor in the box whose cheeky side-foot trickled across the face of goal.

At the other end, Eastwood striker Sam Duncum cut infield before firing low at goalkeeper Neil Collett.

Stags' new signing Paul Connor, known for his goalscoring prowess, showed his defensive abilities when he headed off the line following a home corner with 16 minutes played.

Tyrone Thompson struck a hard shot a minute later, but his goalward effort was blocked.

It was Connor who won Stags a spot kick on 25 minutes when he was man-handled in the box by giant home defender Ady Hawes. Up stepped Keigan Parker to send the 'keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

On 31 minutes, it was Eastwood's turn to score from the spot after Tom Naylor had fouled in the box. But Matt Rhead's low effort was well met by Neil Collett, diving to his left.

Eastwood's Sam Duncum beat Jon Leonard for pace three minutes later, but was upended by the Stags trialist as he broke into the area. This time, Andy Todd showed how to take a spot kick, blasting the ball into the roof of the net to leave Collett with no chance.

Then Keigan Parker delivered a sweeping right wing cross for Paul Connor, who went head to head with substitute goalkeeper Ian Deakin before the ball was scrambled to safety.

The game almost descended into chaos five minutes before half time after a tackle from Jon Leonard on Andy Todd. A brief skirmish followed, but sensible refereeing ensured that both teams remained with 11 players apiece.

In the second half, ex Forest trainee Jordan Fairclough, currently on trial, slotted in at right back, while Steve Foster and Mark Preece took their places in central defence.

Louis Briscoe and Lee Gregory were soon to take the field in the second half, replacing Ashley Cain and Keigan Parker.

Stags restored their one goal lead following a route ball from Collett ten minutes into the second period. His direct kick went into the path of Lee Gregory, who appeared to be brought down by the 'keeper - but Louis Briscoe was on hand to cooly finish.

Paul Connor left the field to be replaced by 18 year old Niall O'Rafferty just three minutes later.

Midway through the second period, Kyle Nix entered the field, on for Tyrone Thompson.

Gary Mills lined up a good effort for Louis Briscoe minutes later, but his vicious drive was well saved by the home goalkeeper.

Adam Smith then left the pitch to be replaced by club captain Ryan Williams.

The substitution was soon followed by a Stags' effort on goal. Front man Lee Gregory, aiming to gain a starting place this season after spending last term on loan, sent a crashing shot goalwards which flashed past the post.

Matt Somner saw the last 12 minutes of the contest, on for Gary Mills in midfield - and it was he who provided for the best goal of the match.

The win was made certain on 82 minutes when Somner's pin point right wing cross found the head of a stooping Lee Gregory, who got the faintest of touches to head it into the net.

Williams tried to cheekily chip the keeper from an acute angle moments before the end, but his miss mattered little, as Stags ran out worthy victors.

Attendance: 665

Starting Line up: Collett, Leonard, Sandwith, Naylor, C.Smith, Cain, A. Smith, Mills, Thompson, Connor, Parker