Mansfield Town suffered a narrow loss in Sky Bet League Two as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Yeovil Town at One Call Stadium.
Jordan Green notched the only goal of a tense afternoon in Mansfield to secure victory for the visitors.
And yet, despite a spirited showing with several gilt-edged chances in the second period, the Yellows were unable to find an equaliser.
David Flitcroft made three changes in response to defeat in Cumbria with both Will Atkinson and Otis Khan being welcomed back into the starting lineup.
There was also a change between the sticks as Jordan Smith, on-loan from Nottingham Forest, made his Mansfield bow against the Glovers.
However, after looking to start in sprightly fashion, there were a few unsure moments for the Stags inside the opening moments.
Tom James struck a set-piece clear of Smith’s crossbar prior to a penalty shout that was waved away by referee Carl Boyeson.
Green ghosted in-behind the hosts’ defence, but after seemingly being taken out by Smith, the referee instead awarded a goal-kick.
Mansfield replied with their own attack as CJ Hamilton’s surging run was eventually thwarted by Yeovil goalkeeper, Nathan Baxter.
But in the 19th minute, the Glovers took a well-deserved lead.
Carl Dickinson picked out Green with a long, diagonal pass that was coolly fired home with his second touch to give his side the upper hand.
Moments later, though, Tyler Walker would have levelled up proceedings had it not been for a fine near-post save from Baxter.
Mansfield continued to press in search of an equaliser and they were unable to profit from a succession of corners that followed.
Matt Preston and Krystian Pearce were both found inside the area but the half-chances never amounted to anything more.
Hamilton, as he so often does, drove forward with the ball – but was denied a chance at goal by Adel Gafaiti’s well-timed sliding challenge.
Clear-cut chances appeared few and far between for Flitcroft’s side as they headed into the break with work to do.
From the outset of the second period, Hamilton looked once more to drive at the heart of Yeovil’s defence but was dispossessed in the process.
Mal Benning then endured responsibility over a central free-kick that was inches away from paying dividends.
The delivery was met by Preston whose initial header was intercepted, before a goalmouth scramble ensued to end with Ryan Sweeney hooking wide.
At the other end, Smith was then called into action as he made a fine save from Green to deny the Yeovil wingman his second of the afternoon.
The ball bobbled wide from the aforementioned save and the subsequent delivery left hearts in Stags’ mouths when it cannoned back off the frame of the goal.
Substitutes Timi Elsnik and Jordan Graham both had opportunities well-blocked at separate occasions as the Stags moved up the gears.
Danny Rose was denied by Baxter’s unbelievable sprawling save before more drama continued to unfold.
Walker had the back of the net on 72 minutes, with a flicked finish, but was flagged offside during the process.
The game ebbed and flowed as Yeovil should have had their second moments later.
Green's shot ricocheted to Francois Zoko at the back post but he slipped, from a Stags' perspective, at the right time, as he awaited a sure tap-in.
Baxter was then equal to another Mansfield effort, this time Walker’s, thwarting the on-loan striker an equaliser.
Flitcroft’s side continued their dominance into the dying embers on Saturday afternoon as they looked to rescue a point.
However, the hosts’ uphill battle was made significantly harder when Preston was shown a second yellow following a strong challenge on James.
Crawley Town are next up for Mansfield as they welcome the Reds to One Call Stadium.
STAGS XI: Smith (GK), White (Graham 57’), Benning, Preston, Pearce ©, Mellis, Khan (Rose 46’), Atkinson (Elsnik 63’), Sweeney, Walker, Hamilton.
SUBS NOT USED: Logan (GK), Butcher, Law, A. Smith.
YEOVIL XI: Baxter (GK), Gafaiti, Dickinson, Warren ©, Gray (Fisher 83’), Green, Zoko (Mugabi 88’), D’Almeida, Grant, James, Dobre (Browne 73’).
SUBS NOT USED: Nelson (GK), Rogers, Arquin, Santos.
REFEREE: Carl Boyeson.
ASSISTANTS: Peter Gooch & Thomas Harty.
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Joe Simpson.
ATTENDANCE: 4,374 (132 away).
