Neal Bishop and CJ Hamilton were on target for Mansfield Town as they played out a battling 2-2 draw against Sky Bet Championship side Hull City.
There were solitary goals in either half for both sides as Jarrod Bowen’s opener was cancelled out by a calm strike by Bishop.
And while the visitors were ahead 12 seconds into the second period via Nouha Dicko, again the Stags responded through Hamilton’s angled finish.
John Dempster named a strong starting XI for the Tigers’ visit to One Call Stadium but was without Jacob Mellis who missed out due to illness.
There was an open feel to Saturday’s contest and both sides had early chances to force themselves into the driving seat with their respective attacking summer acquisitions.
Tom Eaves lashed a half-volley into the side netting before Andy Cook had his attempt blocked in timely manner.
Bowen, the Tigers’ top scorer last campaign, then almost found the net once more had it not been for a floated effort that connected with the woodwork.
City were next to threaten through Eaves once more – this time a back-post header falling wide of the mark.
But it proved to be third time lucky for Grant McCann’s side, in the 27th minute.
Kamil Grosicki wheeled towards the by-line where a smart cutback presented Bowen the simple task of stroking the ball home.
Mansfield would not be deterred, however, as Otis Khan’s delivery that looked to be looping inside the post had to be touched behind for a corner.
A slick, one-touch move from the hosts also ended with the midfielder striking into the legs of George Long.
Soon after, as Hamilton sought to race clear, he was cynically pulled down to prevent an inevitable one-on-one scenario.
This, though, would not stop the Stags restoring parity one minute from the interval.
Khan’s wicked free-kick crashed against Long’s bar and found its way into the path of the oncoming Bishop who had the majority of the goal as a target.
A clean, thumping strike ensured proceedings were level at the interval.
However, within a minute of the restart the away side had their lead back.
Dicko was able to profit from a defensive error as he rounded Conrad Logan and tucked the ball away.
Dempster’s men continued to exhibit their never-say-die attitude following City’s second of the afternoon – and it paid off once more.
On 54 minutes, Khan worked the ball wide to Hamilton who, as he so often does, found the far corner from a tight angle.
With the scores all-tied yet again the Stags’ latest pre-season test continued to ebb and flow.
Bowen tried a curling effort that fell into the midriff of Logan before Cook’s low drive was expertly thwarted by Long.
Minutes later, Mansfield’s number 19 was presented with another chance but was unable to connect cleanly with the ball due to pressure from his marker.
Omari Sterling-James then lined up an audacious, first-time effort from 30 yards but the midfielder could only direct it wide.
The Stags continued their pressure via Khan who forced a smart save from Long following a mazy run.
At the other end, Logan was also in action as his sprawling save denied Jordy de Wijs’ header from creeping under the crossbar.
Ryan Tafazolli – formerly a Stag – was introduced by McCann for the final few moments and he was met by a warm ovation from the home faithful.
The contest ended all-square as another good run out for Dempster’s side reared many positive aspects.
Mansfield’s pre-season schedule bids them against Nottingham Forest’s U23s at One Call Stadium this Tuesday evening.
STAGS' XI: Logan (GK) ©, White (Clarke 46’), Benning, Preston (Pearce 63’), Bishop (MacDonald 63’), Khan, Sweeney (Gibbens 80’), Cook, Hamilton, Sterling-James, Smith.
HULL XI: Long (GK), Lichaj © (Toral 63’), De Wijs, Burke (Tafazolli 88’), Stewart, Eaves (Dicko 46’), Grosicki (McKenzie 63’), Bowen, Henriksen (Bowler 75’), Kingsley, Irvine.
REFEREE: Michael Salisbury.
ASSISTANTS: Mark Jones & David Plowright.
FOURTH OFFICIAL: David Hunt.
ATTENDANCE: 1,799 (283 away)
