Winger Paul Anderson says Stags 'gave a great account of themselves' in tonight's 2-2 draw with Championship favourites Middlesbrough.
The former Northampton Town man played 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw, as Stags raced into a two-goal lead through a Jonny Howson own goal and a sublime Lee Angol finish. The visitors then pulled two goals back before half-time through Mikael Soisola and Dael Fry to bring Boro level.
And Anderson believes Stags did 'really well' against a team who were plying their trade in the Premier League last season.
"They (Middlesbrough) played some good stuff, [but] defensively we were brilliant. It was really tough work and to concede a goal straight after we scored was really disappointing," Anderson said.
"I know it's only a friendly but we want to wipe out these mistakes that we make and hopefully we won't get punished as much when we play teams in our league.
"But I think we've done really well tonight and gave a great account of ourselves."
Middlesbrough were the second Championship side Stags have faced in their pre-season campaign so far after Sheffield Wednesday visited One Call Stadium on Saturday and Anderson feels the games have helped the squad become more acquainted with each other.
"I think we've done really well tonight and gave a great account of ourselves."
"It's great to get to know the tactics and to understand each other [and] it helps everyone talk and to get into position.
"We've scored some good goals against some good teams and we have to take a lot of credit, [but] hopefully over the next couple of games we can get some more ball time."
Following tonight's game, Stags travel to Stamford on Friday before facing local rivals Nottingham Forest on Saturday, a club Anderson is very familiar with.
"I had some great years [at Forest], I've got fond memories and I still know a couple of the lads and a lot of the staff behind the scenes, and keep in touch with them all.
"It will be nice to see some friendly faces but again it's another game we have to focus on our fitness. We're not sure what the manager will do in terms of teams with the game on Friday against Stamford and then Forest on Saturday, [but] hopefully I'll get some minutes against them, it will be nice.
'It's a local derby, I'm sure we will have a nice crowd and hopefully we can put on a performance, similar to tonight.
The midfielder, who began his career at Liverpool, joined Stags at the start of summer and believes the current squad is one of the most competitive he's been involved in.
"I've been fortunate to play at Championship level and the last couple of seasons I've been in and around League One squads.
"Even in the Championship squads I wouldn't have been able to turn around and say anyone out of the 23 lads could get a start.
"Looking at the [Mansfield] squad, I'm not sure there is a single name that I could put on that team sheet, the manager has a very difficult choice to make.
"Everyone in the squad has given a great account of themselves and anyone could be picked in that starting eleven [against Crewe]."
To view Paul Anderson's full post-match interview, head to iFollow Stags.