Injury victims Jason Lee and Michael Blackwood returned for the Stags.

But Aaron O'Connor, who scored twice in the thrilling Bank Holiday Monday 3-2 win over Northwich, was not in the 16 as Mansfield looked to maintain their 100% home record this season - three straight wins.

Lee and Blackwood both missed that victory which took the Stags to fifth place. But Lee returned for O'Connor with Gavin Hurran back on the substitutes bench as Blackwood returned to the club's strongest current starting XI.

Grays, struggling in 20th, did have O'Connor in their line-up last season before his summer switch to the Stags after refusing a new deal at the club.

His absence from the 16 was not explained by the club prior to kick-off - though after the match manager Billy McEwan said his omission was due to a clause in the transfer. He added that he decided not to publicise the news ahead of the match.

Grays appeared to bring even fewer fans than Histon (64) recently.

MANSFIELD TOWN: Gamble; Silk, O'Hare, Moses, Jeannin; Arnold, Somner, D'Laryea, Blackwood; Lee (Robinson 52mins), Stallard. Subs: Herriott, Shaw, Hurren, Trimmer.

GRAYS ATHLETIC: Flitney; Wilnis, Ashton, Stuart, Sloma; Bailey (Molesley 62mins), Elliott, Cogan (Campana 77mins), Welsh; Taylor (Reid 60mins), Kedwell. Subs: Arnold, Geir.

REFEREE: Mr Ross Joyce.

BOOKINGS: Mansfield - Lee. Grays - Elliott.

ATTENDANCE: 2,378 (36)

Prior to the match there was a minute's applause for long-time Stags supporter Bill Press, who died earlier this week.

Bizarrely, the two sides both wore yellow and blue - the Stags in yellow shirts, blue shorts and blue socks; Grays with blue shirts, yellow shorts and yellow socks.

1 min: In the opening seconds winger Nathan Arnold, called up by England C this week, had an exciting run into the penalty area, but was crowded out.

4 mins: Another mazy run into the area by Arnold comes to nothing.

5 mins: A fierce low cross shot by Sloma is well held by Gamble in the Stags goal.

12 mins: Lee picks up his first booking of the season after an aerial challenge with Stuart.

13 mins: Blackwood cleverley skips tast two defenders to win a corner, but the flag kick comes to nothing.

14 mins: At the other end Jeannin deflects a Sloma shot narrowly past his own post, again the corner comes to nothing.

18 mins: Great save by Gamble to keep the Stags level, clawing away Cogan's close range deflected shot from an Ishmael Welsh cross. Adie Moses then cleared the loose ball off the goalline as Kedwell tried to poke in the opening goal.

25 mins: GOAL! Stallard tucks in a penalty, his second spot kick and fifth goal of the season, after Jon Ashton is penalised for a handball as Matt Somner threatened to convert a Blackwood cross inside the six yard area. Stallard's penalty - this time a more conventional finish after his cheeky spot kick chip against Kidderminster, was the Stags' first shot on target in the match.

27 mins: Lucky Stags survive a goalmouth scramble after an error inside the box by Gary Silk, who failed to clear a Cogancross.

38mins: Yet another surging run by Arnold, this time he gets a shot away but keeper Flitney saves comfortably.

42 mins: O'Hare somehow clears a deep left wing cross out of danger inside the six-yard area as the Stags again struggle on the right hand side of defence.

46 mins: The Stags, obviously fired up by manager Billy McEwan at half-time, almost double their lead as Stallard feeds Somner and his cross is just blocked from reaching Lee. Then Alan O'Hare just fails to touch in Blackwood's cross.

49 mins: Good link-up between Stallard and Lee ends with Lee's low drive well held by the diving Flitney.

52 mins: Lee, injured by a defender trying to block his shot, receives treatmment on the pitch and then goes off to be replaced by Anthony Robinson.

55 mins: Jamie Taylor's close range drive beaten away by Gamble at the near post and from the following scramble Jamie Stuart places his shot wide.

63 mins: Ashton heads a corner over the bar as Grays look for an equaliser.

64 mins: Terrific curling shot from Arnold as he cut inside produces a flying save from Flitney, but the Stags can't find a crucial second goal.

67 mins: Elliott booked for late challenge.

71 mins: Great sliding challenge by Alex Jeannin denies Mark Molesley a shot after Grays pressure, then the same player drives wide from 20 yards.

86 mins: The attendance is announced and there are just 36 Grays fans - the lowest visiting support so far this season at Field Mill.

87 mins: Molesley again close to a Grays equaliser, his rising 20 yard drive just clearing the bar.

88 mins: Alan O'Hare named the sponsors man of the match.

90 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time announced.

Full match report and reaction to follow