The young keeper spilled an 80th minute free kick to leave Michael Bostwick a simple tap-in for the winner.

The Stags also had French Sheffield United loanee Maxime Chanot sent off for two bookable offences and manager Billy McEwan sent to the stand for arguing with referee Gary Sutton over the first half stoppage time penalty that broke the deadlock for the home side.

• Billy McEwan post-match reaction

In a week which began with a home defeat by Woking and then a four point deduction for transfer irregularities, Stags trailed 1-0 at the end of a poor first half for the watching Setanta TV audience.

But beleagured Mansfield at least showed some guts and fight to go 2-1 ahead with goals from Gavin Hurren and Aaron O'Connor inside three second half minutes with the visitors' first two shots on target all night.

However, it wasn't to be as Borough roared back to win it and Stags now have to lick their wounds and wait until next Monday before they play again at local rivals Burton Albion.

Mansfield boss Billy McEwan made one change, leaving out Somner for the first time this season and bringing D'Laryea into the centre of midfield alongside Hurren.

Stags keeper Gamble had a worrying moment in the opening minute when McMahon's left wing cross threatened to drop in over him and he tipped it over to make sure.

Mills was booked as early as the third minute for his challenge on Hurren.

A loose pass by Arnold put Stevenage on the attack down the right and O'Hare had to block Cole's shot as he cut inside.

Wilson had to leave the field after taking a blow to the nose. But the 10 men threatened again as Morison pushed the ball past O'Hare. The defender got there first but sent a very firm pass back to Gamble who had to be accurate to kick clear as it took a bobble.

Anaclet finally came on to replace the stricken Wilson in the 14th minute.

Blackwood's first corner for Stags two minutes later was just too high for O'Hare to make contact with at the far stick.

Then O'Connor tried to slip Stallard through but Oliver was across quickly to intercept.

A neat succession of passes from the visitors ended with Silk over-hitting the final cross.

On 26 minutes the TV cameras finally had a shot to film in a poor game, but O'Connor pulled his low 20 yard effort comfortably wide.

Three minutes later Bostwick was even further off target at the other end with a rising drive from the edge of the box.

A short corner on the right for the home side saw Cole find Oliver at the far post and his header back into the danger zone was quickly grabbed by Gamble before anyone could force it home.

As we entered the last minute of a turgid first half McMahon swapped passes with Cole and drilled in a low shot which forced the first real save of the half at either end out of Gamble, albeit a routine one.

But disaster struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Black slipped Cole into the box and his heel was clipped by Chanot to concede a penalty.

Morison struck it hard and true down the centre for his ninth goal of the season and Stags had a massive uphill struggle ahead of them.

McEwan was so incensed with the penalty decision that he confronted the referee as he left the field and was ordered from the bench, spending the second half sat in the stand.

BSP rules state managers sent off must stay in the dressing room but Stevenage apparently agreed he could watch from the stand.

Morison hooked a high hopeful effort wide from 25 yards early in the second half and then Cole saw a near post effort deflect wide for a corner as Borough began the second half on the front foot.

On 51 minutes Cole latched onto a poor headed clearance in the box to get in a low shot which Gamble smothered.

Soon after Cole won a tussle with Chanot to get into the box and pull a low shot across the face of goal and wide.

But Stags were level out of the blue on 56 minutes. Hurren let fly with a pearl of a shot from 20 yards which beat Day and flew inside the keeper's right hand post.

It was the visitors' first shot on target of the game.

Incredibly three minutes later the visitors were ahead. Home defenders looked across at the assistant referee for an offside flag as O'Connor raced clear onto an Arnold through ball and slipped a firm finish home under Day.

However, the lead lasted just five minutes as Cole made space for himself on the left and unleashed a venomous finish across Gamble and inside the far post from 20 yards.

On 69 minutes Gamble came to Stags' rescue with a dive to his right to fist away a well placed far post header from Morison from Laird's long cross.

Lee replaced Stallard and his first touch immediately set up D'Laryea for a chance which Anaclet blocked.

It was now a very open game and a McMahon free kick from the left was headed firmly and narrowly over by Bostwick.

O'Connor teased home defenders with stepovers on the right before his cross was helped on to D'Laryea who set up Hurren for a finish that sailed well over.

Lee twice conceded silly free kicks with Stevenage under pressure while Day had to punch away a Blackwood corner.

Chanot was then booked for the second successive game for a foul on Cole on the right.

And from the free kick Stevenage retook the lead. McMahon put the kick to the near post where Gamble seemed to have it and then dropped it at the feet of Bostwick who made no mistake from close range.

Another foul by Chanot on Morison three minutes after his first yellow card earned him a second and a red to really leave Stags up against it.

Morison rattled the side netting from the right as Stags' defence creaked.

O'Connor might have levelled two minutes from time when Lee headed through everyone in the box and O'Connor bundled his finish wide at the far post.

Gamble produced a great double save in stoppage time to get his legs in the way of Cole's finish and then re-adjust to push away Black's low follow-up.

STEVENAGE: Day, Wilson (Anaclet 14), Laird, Oliver, Mills, Black, McMahon, Morison, Cole, Bostwick, Henry. Subs not used: Bayes, Albrighton, Thomas, Vincenti.

STAGS: Gamble, Stallard (Lee 70), O'Hare, D'Laryea, Silk, Arnold (Robinson 90), Blackwood, Hurren, Jeannin (Somner 67), O'Connor, Chanot. Subs not used: Wood, Herriott.

REFEREE: Gary Sutton of Lincolnshire.

ATTENDANCE: 1,517.

GOALS: Stevenage: Morison (pen) 45+4, Cole 64, Bostwick 80. Stags: Hurren 56, O'Connor 59.

CAUTIONS: Stevenage - Mills 3, Anaclet 86, Bostwick 90. Stags - Chanot 80, 83.

DISMISSAL: Chanot 83 (second yellow).

STAGS MAN OF THE MATCH: Alan O'Hare.