MANSFIELD Town suffered a shock defeat at struggling Forest Green Rovers on Saturday afternoon to leave them in trouble at the bottom of the BSP.
The Stags fell behind to a shock early goal from struggling Forest Green Rovers as they chased only a second BSP away win of the saeason - and then saw a penalty saved as they tried to find a way back.
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Ahmed's penalty on the hour was well tipped onto the bar by Burton, who repeated his heroics 10 minutes from time to deny substitute Stallard with a fine point blank stop from the striker's fierce shot.
Those stops helped lowly Rovers - in a relegation place and without a win since August - hang onto the three points and move just one point behind the Stags, who remain sixth from bottom and one point above the drop zone.
The Stags, using the pace of Sinclair and Arnold, had made a bright, attacking start and should have grabbed an early lead against a side without a win in 12 matches.
First Lee headed a free kick wide and then Arnold, put clear by Sinclair, fired tamely at the keeper from 20 yards when he looked to be better placed.
However, disaster struck after just 11 minutes when the home side scored from their first attack, Alex Lawless firing through a crowded area and past a possibly unsighted Gamble.
Six minutes later Lee so nearly levelled, heading a fine Arnold cross from close range against the inside of the post after a great break from Sinclair.
Again on loan midfielder Ahmed was prompting the best Stags' moves, trying to carve out chances as the visitors dominated the opening quarter of the match.
Arnold twice wasting good shooting chances, before Rovers goalscorer Lawless went off injured before half-time.
The Stags continued to dominate the first period, creating chances but failing to seriously test home keeper Burton as they went in at the break a goal down.
At the start of the second half Rovers suddenly found themselves on top and Symons should have doubled their lead from a Low pass, but he fired wide.
On the hour the Stags were handed a golden chance to level. But after Sinclair won a penalty when he was tugged back, Ahmed's spot kick - his second in successive games - was this time saved. Burton dived to push the ball up onto the bar.
That prompted manager Billy McEwan to bring on two strikers - O'Connor and Stallard - to replace Lee and midfielder Somner to leave a very attacking line-up.
Ten minutes from time sub Stallard thought he had levelled for the Stags, but his fierce close range effort was blocked by a stunning save from Burton.
But
The Stags were unchanged for the trip to Gloucestershire. Rovers, without a win in 12 games, welcomed back Lawless and Platt into their line-up, featuring former Northampton player Josh Low.
The small New Lawn ground at the village club created little atmosphere, despite the best efforts of the 200-300 travelling Stags fans.
FOREST GREEN: Burton, Lawless (Fowler 39mins), Stonehouse, Jones, Gill, Clist, Platt, Smith, Symons, Low, Kempson. Subs: Robinson, Mangan, Afful, Mohamed.
STAGS: Gamble, Silk, D'Laryea, Moses, O'Hare, Arnold, Somner (O'Connor 63mins), Lee (Stallard 63mins), Ahmed, Jeannin, Sinclair. Subs: Chanot, Hurren, Herriott.
REFEREE: Paul Tierney of Lancashire.
- Click here to read the latest entry in John Lomas's Stags Blog.
MATCH UPDATES16.50: As four minutes of added-on time announced another chance goes begging, Sinclair cross in front of O'Connor.
16.39: Terrific save by the home keeper beats away a fierce close range Stallard shot from an Arnold cross.
16.19: PENALTY! Sinclair pulled back as he shaped to shoot in the area. Ahmd takes the kick for the second successive week and after a delay sees his kick pushed onto the bar by the keeper.
16.15: Let-off for the Stags, Low's pass gives Symons the chance to double Rovers' lead but he fires wide.
16.14: Lee flick-on finds Sinclair, but his shot is also comfortably saved by Burton.
16.13: Low shot easily saved by Gamble.
16.12: Sinclair close to a leveller, just beaten to the ball by the outcoming, sliding keeper.
16.11: Clist shoots wide for the home side after a good passing movement.
16.09: Arnold free kick from the left cleared to Ahmed, his cross ends with Somner hooking well wide.
16.05: Bizarre kick-off at the start of the second half as Forest Green, with just one player in the centre circle, kick the ball straight out of play with no attempt to retain possession.
15.46: Sinclair's drive easily held by the home keeper from a Lee header.
15.45: Three minutes of added-on time announced.
15.45: Gamble blocks a goalbound Kempson shot, again through a crowded area, as the Stags are relieved not to fall two goals behind n half-time.
15.38: Arnold again shoots on goal, volleying wide.
15.37: This time Ahmed creates a chance for himself, turning and curling straight at the keeper.
15.33: Arnold wastes another chance from 16 yards, shooting wide from a good Lee flick-on.
15.30: Symons fires wide, given the chance to shoot and double the home lead after O'Hare misjudged a clearance.
15.25: Ahmed finds Arnold, the striker cuts inside but shoots wide.
15.18: So close! Lee heads an Arnold cross against the inside of the post after a fine run and cross from Sinclair.
15.13: Good run by Ahmed comes to nothing when Arnold loses possession and O'Hare blasts over from distance.
15.11: GOAL! Stags fail to clear a throw and the ball fell to Lawless 20 yards from goal who hammered first time through a crowded area into the net, giving Rovers the lead against the run of play.
15.10: Low shoots wide for Rovers from the edge of the area.
15.06: Forest Green win the first corner, but the Stags clear.
15.05: Arnold breaks clear from Sinclair's pass, but from a great opening 25 yards out shoots tamely at the keeper.
15.04: Keeper Burton slices his clearance racing out of his area as Arnold threatened to pounce for the Stags.
15.03: Lee heads a Jeannin free kick wide when well placed.
14.58: Around 200-300 Stags fans in the sparce crowd at the village ground - and the only ones making any noise.
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