Mansfield Town rounded off their 2019 pre-season schedule with a resounding 4-2 victory over Rangers under-23s at One Call Stadium.
Andy Cook fired his side into a first-half lead that was cancelled out minutes later through Jordan Houston.
And despite Greg Stewart finding a second equaliser after Jacob Mellis’ superb free-kick, two more strikes from Danny Rose and Otis Khan secured victory for the hosts on a rainy afternoon in Nottinghamshire.
John Dempster made a trio of changes from Tuesday’s encounter with Nottingham Forest under-23s that included a first start for new signing Kellan Gordon.
Conrad Logan and Cook were also welcomed back into the fray for the Stags’ last pre-season outing of 2019.
Mansfield started in sprightly fashion, despite the weather creating a greasy surface, linking some slick passing moves together.
There were small gaps beginning to appear as the clock elapsed into double figures, and Mellis looked to profit from one on the edge of Rangers’ area.
The midfielder had time to swivel and release a shot that glided narrowly wide of Andy Firth’s upright.
Then, the visitors found space of their own when Jamie Murphy’s through ball reached Jake Hastie, only for the Rangers man to be denied by a fine Conrad Logan save.
Neal Bishop then took aim from range just minutes later, yet was unable to find the target with his attempt.
Gordon sought to make his mark on proceedings with a wicked cross that had to be punched to safety by Firth.
On the half hour mark, Hastie was presented with another opportunity but could only drag his effort beyond the post.
Eight minutes later, though, the Stags found the opening goal in style.
Mal Benning delivered a beautiful ball from distance that met the head of Ryan Sweeney, whose knock-down found Cook lurking to slot home.
However, on 41 minutes the visiting side restored parity.
Houston lined up a snapshot from outside Logan’s area and it found its way beyond the Stags’ shot-stopper into the bottom corner.
Rangers soon threatened to net a second moments before the half-time interval, but Mansfield were able to deal with any such issues and clear their lines.
The first-half ended all-square but it took exactly three minutes for the hosts to regain their advantage.
Mellis assumed responsibility of a dangerous set-piece and wasted no time in striking the ball with peerless technique into the top corner.
The amber and blue were off on the chase once more, this time with Nicky Maynard, however the wet surface meant possession quickly bounced away from his reach.
And in the 54th minute, the Scottish side had found their second equaliser of the afternoon.
Stewart was able to find the back of the net – with the aid of a hefty deflection – and bring the game level with over half an hour remaining.
Maynard was then involved at the by-line where his cutback, that looked to be heading towards Rose, was intercepted.
Mansfield made a host of changes in the second period and it was two of which that linked up to fire their side back into the lead for a third time in the
CJ Hamilton had the Rangers’ defence backpedalling and his pinpoint cross ran through to Rose, who struck home with calmness in abundance.
And just a minute later, Mansfield had found a quickfire double.
Another substitute, this time Khan, picked up possession 20 yards from goal before wandering closer and sending Firth diving the wrong way.
A healthy lead had appeared within an instant and was almost made even healthier had it not been for Mellis finding the side netting from a tight angle.
In a similar position, Khan this time curled an attempt wide of the mark as the Stags rounded off their pre-season schedule with a win.
The victory marks exactly a week until the Stags begin their 2019-20 Sky Bet League Two season, away to Newport County this forthcoming Saturday.
STAGS' XI: Logan (GK), Benning, Preston (Clarke 60’), Pearce ©, Bishop (Donohue 65’), MacDonald (Khan 72’), Mellis (Smith 81’), Maynard (Sterling-James 72’), Sweeney, Cook (Rose 46’), Gordon (Hamilton 46’).
UNUSED SUBS: Stone (GK), Gibbens.
RANGERS XI: Firth (GK), Houston, Maxwell (King 76’), Finlayson, Mayo, Barjonas, McPake, Dorrans, Stewart, Murphy ©, Hastie.
UNUSED SUBS: McAdams (GK), Balde, McKinnon.
REFEREE: Declan Bourne
ASSISTANTS: Ian Dudley & David Benton
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Martyn Fryer
ATTENDANCE: 1,063 (141 away)
