Mansfield Town exited this year’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy following a 2-1 loss at Pirelli Stadium.

Stags were ahead thanks to George Cooper’s first goal for the club on 21 minutes but Burton hit back with two goals in either half.

The Amber and Blue finished third in the group stage, with Doncaster and Burton progressing into round two.

Striker Lucas Akins made a first start since 28 October while midfielder Stephen Quinn – also returning from injury – notched up his eighth outing of the season.

In the third minute, former Stags’ defender Ryan Sweeney nodded over for Burton from close range following the game’s first corner.

Stags created their first opportunity only two minutes later when Mansfield midfielder Hiram Boateng - on the right flank - sent an inviting deep cross into the goal area but no one was able to connect.

Inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour, James Gale got in the way of Quinn’s 20-yard attempt while Brewers’ captain Deji Oshilaja clipped the bar with a header at the other end.

Stags’ striker Will Swan came close to breaking the deadlock by dinking the ball over goalkeeper Jamal Blackman, but Sweeney came to the rescue for the hosts to hack off the line.

Mansfield gained the upper hand on 21 minutes.

George Maris’ free kick from the right channel caused all manner of problems inside the box and George Cooper managed to divert it beyond Blackman from seven yards to register his first goal for the club.

As the contest approached the half-hour mark, Swan headed over following Johnson’s right wing delivery and minutes later Mansfield may have been awarded a penalty when Gale was tripped, but the referee was unmoved.

Burton levelled on 34 minutes as Cole Stockton burst forward from the halfway line before curling low into the far corner.

Stags had goalkeeper Scott Flinders to thank for a terrific double save on 38 minutes.

The ex-Crystal Palace goalkeeper got down superbly to beat away Joe Powell’s curling low drive before showing fine reflexes to stop Mark Helm’s strike with his legs.

Akins bent an effort narrowly over the angle from 22 yards in the final attempt of a closely-fought first period.

At the break, boss Nigel Clough made a treble change as Aaron Lewis replaced George Maris, Callum Johnson made way for Baily Cargill, and Jordan Bowery was introduced for Will Swan.

Burton were ahead on 53 minutes following a corner, from which Stags were unable to clear, and Tom Hamer was on hand to stab home from outside the six-yard box.

On the hour, Lewis had a crack with a 20-yard attempt, which Blackman was well behind, while Stockton fired over at the other end.

Two minutes later, giant defender Aden Flint came on for Quinn in Stags’ fourth change.

Stags began to apply pressure – helped by Flint in attack - forcing the hosts inside their own half of the field, but Burton held firm to prevent any clear openings.

On 74 minutes, John-Joe O’Toole made his first appearance since mid February as he climbed off the bench to replace James Gale who was inadvertently hit in the face by the ball at close range in an attempted Burton clearance.

In a second-half of few chances, Bowery lashed behind from 19 yards and Flint struck over from the edge of the box in stoppage time.

BURTON: Blackman, Seddon, Oshilaja (Harper 65), Sweeney, Powell, Stockton, Bennett (Walker 65), Lubala, Helm, Caprice, Hamer

UNUSED SUBS: Kamwa, Carayol, Baah, Gilligan, Tamen

STAGS: Flinders, Johnson (Cargill HT), Williams, Cooper, Macdonald, Maris (Lewis HT), Boateng, Quinn (Flint 62), Akins, Swan (Bowery HT), Gale (O’Toole 74)

UNUSED SUBS: Pym, Flanagan

REFEREE: Paul Howard

ATTENDANCE: 855