STAGS boss Billy McEwan tried a new formation at Weymouth on Saturday afternoon as Mansfield went in search of only their second away win of the season - but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
His 5-3-2 plans were left in tatters in first half injury time when defender Max Chanot, drafted into the side after a three-match absence, was sent off for appearing to headbut Bygraves.
However, the 10-men Stags dominated the second half and Sinclair and his replacement O'Connor both wasted chances to clinch a win, leaving the visitors disappointed with what on paper looked a good result.
Chanot's moment of stupidity came just three minutes after another loannee - Emile Sinclair - had hauled the Stags level.
The Nottingham Forest striker sprinted clear of the offside trap and levelled with a terrific finish.
Sinclair's pace had been the Stags' best hope during a first half in which they had struggled for long periods, both before and after McPhee's 20th minute breakthrough for Weymouth.
He again threatened at the start of the second half, which the Stags dominated despite playing with just 10 men. But Sinclair was replaced for the last quarter.
With striker Nathan Arnold left out, Sheffield United loanee defender Chanot had come into the heart of a three-man central defence with Gary Silk and Alex Jeannin looking set to operate as wing backs in a 5-3-2 line-up.
Chanot had been frustrated at his lack of match action over recent weeks, having been on the substitutes bench since the Setanta Shield defeat at York.
Jeannin came through a midweek injury scare for the Stags, who had won just one match from their previous seven in the BSP.
The home side - beset by takeover talks despite a fine run in the Blue Square Premier of just three defeats in 11 games to go upto ninth place - were without suspended striker Stuart Beavon.
The club, also in crisis off the pitch managerial wise with boss John Hollins still suspended on 'gardening leave' over breach of contract allegations, were without assistant/caretaker manager Alan Lewer who had flu.
WEYMOUTH: Knowles, Mawer, Doe, Bygrave, Sandwith, Williams, Cutler, Reed, Robinson, McPhee, Joseph-Dubois. Subs: Barnard, Coutts, Collins, Webb, Gaia.
STAGS: Gamble, Silk, Moses, O'Hare, Jeannin, D'Laryea, Ahmed, Somner, Sinclair (O'Connor 66mins), Lee (Arnold 80mins), Chanot. Subs: Stallard, Wood, Hurren.
REFEREE: John Farries.
BOOKING: Mansfield - Somner, 36mins foul; Jeannin 82mins foul. Weymouth - Reed, 82mins foul.
SENDING OFF: Mansfield - Chanot 45mins.
ATTENDANCE: 931
- Click here to listen to StagsTalk, our weekly podcast, and news of an on-air £100 charity bet on Stags reaching the play offs!
- Don't panic Mr Mannering - Stags sports editor John Lomas' latest blog
MATCH UPDATES16.55: O'Connor again denied at the death, his shot blocked for a corner by Doe.
16.45: O'Connor's goalbound drive blocked.
16.36: Sub O'Connor's sprint and cross wins a corner as the 10-men Stags continue to dominate.
16.33: Great chance for the Stags, Lee at the back post heading an Ahmed cross wide.
16.30: Williams' drive well held by Gamble on a Weymouth break.
16.24: Another good save by Knowles denies Sinclair as the 10 men dominate the second half.
16.16: Sinclair again uses his pace to break clear, but this time his powerful finish is well saved by Knowles.
16.10: The Stags, reduced to 10 men, seem to have reverted to 4-3-2 for the second half and maintained the attacking threat they had just before the break through Lee and Sinclair.
15.48: RED CARD! Chanot runs 30 yards and then sees his shot blocked for a corner. But immediately in a clash with a Weymouth player he appeared to headbut Bygrave and is sent off.
15.45: Three minutes to be added on.
15.42: GOAL! Somner's great pass beats the offside trap and Sinclair races clear and then finishes coolly.
15.41: At last the Stags fashion a good ahooting opportunity, Lee laying the ball off for D'Laryea to fire over.
15.38: Sandwith curls a 20 yard free kick high and wide as Weymouth look to build on their early lead.
15.30: Sinclair shot blocked and Ahmed denied from the follow-up as the Stags at last pose a threat.
15.29: Ahmed's good work gives Sinclair a chance to level, but Bygraves clears for a corner.
15.27: As the Stags back off, Williams get down the flank, cuts inside and shoots into the side netting as teammates wait for a cross.
15.26: The Stags struggle to create anything going forward.
15.20: GOAL! Disatser for the Stags. McPhee latches onto a poor back pass, slides in and beats Gamble for his seventh goal of the season, knocking the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
15.15: McPhee shot from Joseph-Dubois' cut-back blocked for a corner, which the Stags eventually clear.
15.12: Cutler's 30 yard drive well held by Gamble after good passing play by the home side.
15.08: Good flick on by Lee gives Sinclair an opening, but he loses control just as the Stags threatened.
15.06: McPhee springs the offside trap for Weymouth, turns and shoots wide rather than crossing to the unmarked Joseph-Dubois.
15.02: Sandwith shot blocked for the home side, who pressed back the Stags in the opening minutes.
The full article contains 935 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
