It was a bitter blow to a Stags side now heading for local rivals Chesterfield next weekend with their League future hanging even more precariously in the balance, four points adrift of safety.
Desperate Stags survived a torrid 15 minutes early in the first half when Paul Bolland and Ciaran Toner went close.
But after that it was very much even-stevens with Grimsby's only other chance of note finding the net on 62 minutes as Jones buried a superb header from Nick Hegarty's left wing cross.
Mansfield did cause the home side problems but could not find a finish or a single stroke of much-needed good fortune in the home box as Mariners' keeper Phil Barnes ended the afternoon without a single save to make.
Overall it was a poor game between two poor sides on a bitterly cold Cleethorpes afternoon.
The Stags side showed two changes from their last game a fortnight ago.
Out went injured duo Dan Martin and Lee Bell. Gareth Jelleyman switched back to his natural left back position and Simon Brown came in to play left of midfield.
Jon D'Laryea made his second start of the season in the centre of midfield.
Rory Boulding survived a late fitness test on a back injury to keep his place up front.
The early stages of the game were battled out in midfield with neither keeper troubled.
Toner did cut inside just outside the box on nine minutes and hit a powerful shot goal wards which struck team mate North in the back to save Muggleton any work.
However, a dreadful stray pass by Jelleyman in his own box a minute later put Bolland in on goal only to blaze wastefully wide with Muggleton at his mercy.
The Mariners quickly stepped up the heat and Jones whipped a John-Baptiste headed clearance inches over before Toner cut in and stabbed a low shot at goal which the keeper got down to save.
Mansfield also survived the home team's first corner and a hopeful penalty shout from the home side.
Stags finally won a couple of corners on 25 minutes and the second saw Buxton head goalwards and Rory Boulding tried to help it in from close range but could only succeed in heading over.
The Mariners cleared a third Mansfield flag kick two minutes later as it seemed the visitors had finally taken the heat out of that fiery flurry of home pressure.
Suddenly it was Grimsby on the back foot and Mickey Boulding saw a shot blocked, Dawson just failed to get on the end of a low Brown cross to the near post, and another Stags corner was hacked away.
Grimsby forced two more corner and on 37 minutes North swung a low shot wide of Muggleton's far post. The keeper then had to leave his box to blast into touch ahead of the incoming North.
The teams exchanged further fruitless corners as the interval approached.
In first half stoppage time Mickey released brother Rory into space 40 yards from goal and the youngster blazed way over from distance as the first 45 minutes ended goalless.
On 52 minutes Mickey Boulding worked a one-two with Hamshaw and beat the advancing keeper to the return pass, lifting it over him goal wards. But it seemed to be dropping wide as Bennett raced across to take control.
Stage were furious that keeper Barnes made contact with Boulding as he beat him to the ball but penalty appeals were waved away.
Mullins needed treatment after winning an important challenge on Hegarty in the box but, after trying to run it off, left the field on the hour to be replaced by McIntosh - his first appearance since pulling his hamstring three months ago. He went to centre half with John=Baptiste moving to right back.
However, two minutes later the Mariners grabbed the lead. Rory Boulding lost possession wide on the right and Hegarty raced forward to whip in a tempting cross that Jones buried with a powerful stooping header that gave Muggleton no chance.
Almost immediately Micky Boulding went on a good run and, looking up, lifted a superb dipping shot a foot over the bar from over 35 yards out.
Buxton was finally yellow carded on 65 minutes for persistent fouling after already receiving an earlier warning.
McAliskey was thrown on up front for Mansfield for the last 20 minutes in place of Rory Boulding.
Brown almost produced something from nothing on 74 minutes as, back to goal, 20 yards out, he spun and flashed a shot just over the far angle.
Mansfield forced three corners on the trot in the last three minutes but the home goal survived intact.
John-Baptiste was booked in the last minute of the 90 for a late tackle on Boshell.
Three minutes of stoppage time were added and Mansfield hopes were raised when Grimsby conceded a free kick just outside the box and free kick specialist McIntosh on the field.
But a rusty McIntosh curled it disappointingly well over the bar and with it went Stags' last hope of getting anything out of the game.
GRIMSBY: Barnes, Newey, Bennett, Hegarty, Jones (Butler 83), Hird, Atkinson, Boshell, Bolland, North (Taylor 84), Toner. Subs not used: Montgomery, Bore, Whittle.
STAGS: Muggleton, Mullins (McIntosh 60), Buxton, John-Baptiste, Jelleyman, Brown, D'Laryea, Dawson, Hamshaw, M. Boulding, R. Boulding (McAliskey 70). Subs not used:White, Holmes, Wood.
REFEREE: Michael Oliver of Northumberland.
ATTENDANCE: 3,836 (298 away).
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