Forward Will Swan climbed off the bench to net his first league goal of the season as Mansfield twice came from behind to rescue a point at home to spirited Tranmere.

Charlie Jolley put the Prenton Park outfit ahead after 13 minutes prior to Rhys Oates’ equaliser on 37.

Rovers poked their noses in front again shortly after the hour through Rob Apter, before Swan found the net on 79, ten minutes after taking to the field.

Mansfield weren’t at their fluid best and Tranmere made it difficult for Stags to gain their rhythm by pressing well inside their own half and then looking to hit the hosts on the counter punch.

The point, however, keeps intact Stags’ unbeaten home record in Sky Bet League Two this term.

Three changes were made from Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Swindon as midfielder Stephen Quinn, defender Calum Macdonald and forward Lucas Akins started in place of George Maris, Baily Cargill and Callum Johnson.

Tranmere fashioned the game’s first chance inside the third minute, but Brad Walker’s 20-yard effort was comfortably claimed by Stags’ goalkeeper Christy Pym.

Stags enjoyed more possession in the opening stages, though it was the visitors who tried their luck again when Kieron Morris steered a hopeful attempt high and wide.

However, Rovers made it count after 13 minutes as they took the lead.

Harvey Saunders sent a low ball forward and Charlie Jolley turned the jets on to dart past Louis Reed before planting a cool finish beyond Christy Pym from the left of the box.

Tranmere’s tails were up and Rob Apter was next to test Pym with a 20-yard curling strike which the goalkeeper held well.

At the other end, Stags’ first real chance was registered midway inside the first-half.

From the right-hand channel, midfielder Davis Keillor-Dunn clipped a free-kick into the box, however towering defender Aden Flint nodded wide eight yards out.

Soon after, Reed went into the book for Mansfield, conceding a free-kick 25 yards from goal, but Walker smashed it into the back of the Quarry Lane End.

On the stroke of the half-hour, Stags’ striker Rhys Oates struck wide from 20 yards before Pym made a superb double stop at the other end two minutes later.

Stags failed to deliver an effective corner and Tranmere were presented with an opportunity to hit Mansfield on the counter surge.

Saunders galloped into the home half and then into the area to rifle a shot which Pym smartly pushed away. And from the follow-up, Stags’ number one was equal to it as Saunders again met his match.

On 36 minutes, Rovers’ defender Jordan Turnbull was the recipient of a yellow card after holding Lucas Akins near the halfway line as the forward tried to turn him.

Stags drew level a minute later as Oates netted his fifth goal of the season.

On the right hand channel, Jordan Bowery made a mazy run to the goal line to pull back for Keillor-Dunn, who prodded it depeer into the goal area where Oates was on hand to apply the finish.

Kieron Morris was booked for a foul on 39 minutes for the visitors before Oates saw his edge-of-the-box strike well-blocked in stoppage time following good work by Keillor-Dunn.

Stags pressed down on the accelerator in the closing moments and Keillor-Dunn saw a bending attempt claimed by McGee in the half’s final opportunity.

Six minutes into the second-half, Keillor-Dunn was booked for a pull near halfway and the same man ballooned a left-footed effort past the target on 54.

Stags tried to push Rovers back and create an opening but to no avail.

Tranmere restored their lead on 62 minutes as Rob Arper received a ball from halfway to burst forward, cut inside on his left and drill a low shot from the edge of the box which snuck inside the right post.

Before the restart, Keillor-Dunn made way for George Maris in Stags’ first change.

Mansfield looked again to level and Oates saw his bending strike fly narrowly beyond the bar.

On 67 minutes, substitute Jake Leake was brandished a yellow card after hauling down Oates on the inside right flank.

Nigel Clough made a double change as Stephen Quinn and Louis Reed were replaced by Ollie Clarke and Will Swan.

Clarke was soon in the thick of the action and warmed the palms of McGhee with a rasping 20-yard drive which the goalkeeper had to turn behind for a corner.

And from the subsequent flag-kick, Lewis Brunt blasted over inside a crowded penalty area.

On 77 minutes, right-back Jordan Bowery appeared to pick up a knock as Callum Johnson was introduced before Calum Macdonald made way for Baily Cargill.

One Call Stadium erupted two minutes later as Swan bagged an equaliser.

Cargill directed a long free-kick into the box and Flint nodded down for Swan who showed neat footwork to turn and strike, seeing his 17-yard strike fly over McGee and into the net with the aid of a deflection.

The leveller injected confidence into Stags’ ranks and Flint headed just wide from Maris’ corner on 83 minutes.

Pym was well behind a low drive from substitute Sam Taylor before Mansfield had a chance of their own just after the fourth official indicated six additional minutes of stoppage time.

Swan was upended five yards outside the Tranmere box and from the following free-kick, Aaron Lewis curled beyond the defensive wall and the angle.

With three-and-a-half minutes remaining Tranmere were reduced to ten men as Turnbull was shown a second yellow card for a blatant hold on Lucas Akins midway inside the visitors’ half as Rovers hung on.

STAGS: Pym, Bowery (Johnson 77), Flint, Brunt, Macdonald (Cargill 77), Reed (Swan 69), Lewis, Quinn (Clarke 69), Keillor-Dunn (Maris 64), Oates, Akins

UNUSED SUBS: Flinders, Williams

TRANMERE: McGee, O’Connor, Davies, Turnbull, Wood (Leake HT), Apter (McAlear 84), Walker, Hendry, Morris (Belehouan 90+7), Saunders (Yarney 90+6), Jolley (Taylor 84)

UNUSED SUBS: Robson, Hawkes

REFEREE: Matt Corlett

ATTENDANCE: 6,421 (187 Tranmere supporters)