The Stags had their moments in a reasonably good first half but could not find a way past impressive home keeper Martyn Margarson, who made four superb saves.

And the Mansfield defence was caught napping on the break as Kieran Leabon tucked away an easy seventh minute goal.

But the visitors rarely impressed in a poor second half in which Boston took a firm grip with the help of a mistake by trialist youngster Craig Nelthorpe and then a spot kick which was saved but netted at the second attempt.

With Monday's expected away friendly at Matlock Town now changed to a youth team fixture on Thursday, this one will have given new boss Billy McEwan much food for thought as he prepares for Saturday's Blue Square Premier opener at Ebbsfleet.

The match saw 202 Stags fans in the crowd of just 657.

Two new faces were in the Mansfield line-up.

Left-sided player Nelthorpe arrived on trial from Doncaster Rovers and started the game on the wing while, with Paddy Gamble ill and Jason White injured, Mansfield had to borrow keeper Jamie Annerson from Sheffield United.
Due to traffic congestion in town, the game did not kick-off until 3.23pm.

Stags played some tidy early football and twice almost scored in the seventh minute.

A left wing corner bounced just the wrong side of an unmarked O'Hare right in front of goal. The ball was cleared back out to Arnold on the left whose far post cross was met by Lee but his finish was not powerful enough to beat keeper Margarson who was able to smother.

The Pilgrims then went quickly downfield to score a simple goal, still in the eventful seventh minute.

Farrell made progress down the left and sent over a low cross to Leabon who had stolen free and had the simple task of passing the ball past a helpless Annerson.

Arnold was just over the angle with a curling shot on 12 minutes as they looked for a quick reply.

Boston forced a couple of corners but on 22 minutes Stags came close as Stallard set up Lee for an 18 yard shot that the keeper had to tip over.

Lee returned the compliment six minutes later with a flick that saw Stallard's dipping finish easy for Margarson.

D'Laryea was almost an unlikely scorer a minute later as his 25 yard blast looked destined for the top left corner until the keeper made his second fine tip-over of the game. And Lee was just too high with his far post header from the corner.

Lee was again too high from another decent Nelthorpe centre soon after. And he was unlucky again a minute later as a looping O'Hare cross came off his shin and bounced just wide.

Talbot's outstretched foot took the pace off Lee's next effort which was straight at Margarson as Boston held on to their advantage.

Stallard nodded a tame header straight at the keeper in the 47th minute while Wes Parker headed wide of the far post at the other end soon after.

But they really should have gone further ahead from a 52nd minute corner. Matthews put it in from the left and Froggatt was left completely unmarked six yards from goal for a free header that he did not get enough contact on and glanced wide.
Soon after Ryan's 20 yard effort brought a good full length save from Annerson.

Arnold had a brief shooting chance at the other end but crashed a wild shot well wide.

Good skill from Stallard saw him sidestep two opponents before curling another effort narrowly over the angle.

But a rush of blood to the head by new boy Nelthorpe led to Boston going 2-0 ahead.

The youngster had dropped back to left back and easily cut out a long ball. But he inexplicably ran it across his own six yard box with his keeper screaming at him and was suddenly squeezed out by two opponents.

In trying to keep possession he caught Froggatt and gave away a penalty.

Annerson dived to his right to make a great save from the spot kick from Ryan but the ball fell back kindly to Ryan who was able to steer it back across the keeper at the second attempt.

Boston made three changes at once and Stags made two, sending on youngsters Goward and Trimmer.

But within seconds it was 3-0 as Boston sub Beck made an immediate impact as he raced away on a through ball with his first touch and, although Margarson got a hand to his finish, he couldn't stop it finding the net.

Stallard made space to his right for another good effort for the visitors but again found Margarson in his way with another great tip-away.

Trimmer's header from Shaw's cross was well wide as Stags looked to have run out of steam and ideas.

Boston: Margarson, Matthews (Millson 76), Green, W. Parker (Steadman 76), Bloomer, Clarke, Ryan (Beck 65), Talbot (Wood 65), Froggatt (Joyce 83), Leabon (L. Parker ht), Farrell (Beeson). Subs: Semple, Pascu, Butcher.

Stags: Annerson, Silk, O'Hare, Hurren (Shaw 55), Moses, Somner, Arnold, D'Laryea, Lee (Trimmer 67), Stallard, Nelthorpe (Goward 67). Subs: Wood, McGhee, Robinson, Ahmed, Burrell, Saynor.

REFEREE: James Turner.

ATTENDANCE: 657.