Mansfield Town fell to a 3-1 defeat against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park on Tuesday evening.
A disappointing night of Sky Bet League Two action began with Jonny Smith’s opener midway through the first half, before Tom Hamer doubled his side's advantage amidst a crowd of bodies.
And Gevaro Nepomuceno added another to extinguish any potential for a comeback – despite Otis Khan climbing off the bench to sweep home a 93rd-minute consolation.
Graham Coughlan made his third signing ahead of the midweek contest, in the form of Newcastle United youngster Kelland Watts, who subsequently replaced Neal Bishop as the only alteration from Saturday’s victory over Bradford City.
Oldham were first to threaten in a match that took its time to collect any kind of rhythm.
A crisp passage of play on the near side set Nepomuceno bearing down on Mal Benning, yet the defender’s block ensured only a corner would be conceded.
The Stags then sought to capitalise upon a loose pass by David Wheater but Danny Rose’s subsequent pass carried too much weight for CJ Hamilton.
Again, possession switched hands giving the Latics an opportunity to break the deadlock. Nepomuceno was the name in question, as the ball kindly broke his way, before Bobby Olejnik expertly gathered his side-footed drive.
The hosts’ skipper, Wheater, soon found himself inside the opposing box trying to sweep home from a long throw; although Olejnik was placed perfectly to collect once more.
The visitors, though, did not heed their early warnings in Lancashire.
In Oldham’s latest attack, Smith was afforded both time and space on the left-hand side as he duly picked out the far corner with a thumping effort.
January addition Danny Rowe watched his attempt to find a quick-fire double rebound against the stanchion, prior to Alex MacDonald also striking from distance.
And three minutes from the half-time interval, Dino Maamria’s men found another.
Hamer was able to ghost inbetween a crowd of blue and black shirts to covert via the inside of the woodwork.
The Stags faced an uphill battle for the second period but instead it was the home side who boasted an early
Rose’s wayward cross-field ball was intercepted by Mohamed Sylla, who wasted no time in feeding Nepomuceno to force Olejnik into another routine stop.
Minutes later, Coughlan’s charges showed a glimpse of their true colours. Neat interchanges led to Nicky Maynard curling towards Hamilton who was unable to stretch as far as required to make contact.
And individual quality from Nepomuceno meant he was able to add a third.
A fine, bending effort left Olejnik rooted to the spot as it nestled perfectly into the bottom corner from 18 yards out.
The Latics continued to fire several half-chances fall amiss before a flick-on at the near post somehow trickled dangerously across to the opposite side.
Substitute Otis Khan then skipped away from several challenges to find teammate Andy Cook, yet his touch was pounced upon by Zeus de la Paz to thwart any chance of a consolation.
The No. 10 appeared in another pocket of space minutes later but was unable to bring the ball under his spell.
He did, however, find the back of the net himself three minutes into stoppage time as he swept home from the centre of the area.
It proved to be a night to forget for the Stags, who will be looking to respond on Saturday when they welcome Carlisle United to One Call Stadium.
STAGS XI: Olejnik (GK), Benning, Pearce ©, MacDonald, Maynard (Cook 51’), Watts, Sweeney, Riley, Hamilton, Charsley (Tomlinson 51’), Rose (Khan 71’).
UNUSED SUBS: Stone (GK), Preston, Bishop, Knowles.
OLDHAM XI: De La Paz (GK), Nepomuceno (Branger-Engone 88’), Missilou (N’Guessan 85’), Sylla, Smith, Wheater ©, Piergianni, Hamer, Dearnley (Maouche 64’), Rowe, Borthwick-Jackson.
UNUSED SUBS: Allen (GK), Mills, Wilson, Azankpo.
REFEREE: Michael Salisbury
ASSISTANTS: Mark Cunliffe & Chris Isherwood
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Ben Speedie
ATTENDANCE: 2,961 (395 away)
