But, despite having almost all the game, Stags' latest gift of another soft goal to the opposition, gleefully put away by Chris Senior after just 11 seconds of the game, was just enough for the struggling home sided to cling to like a dog with a bone and they defended determinedly for only their third win of the season.

Paddy Gamble did make a fine save and Gary Silk a goal-line clearance in that Mansfield-dominated first half.

But poor finishing, packed defending in numbers by the home side, a lack of luck and two great saves from Stuart Coburn to thwart Nathan Arnold and Alan O'Hare saw the Robins home.

What Altrincham lacked in football quality they made up for in heart and Mansfield remain without an away win as they head for Salisbury City on Saturday.

Incredibly the home side took just 11 seconds to put the ball into the net. Senior turned in the box as defenders dithered and allowed him just enough space to poke a low effort just inside Gamble's right hand post from 12 yards.

Stunned Stags tried to hit back straight away and, from their first corner on three minutes both D'Laryea and Jeannin had efforts blocked.
Arnold then pulled a pass back from the right for Lee whose powerful shot deflected over for a second corner.

After the first 10 hectic minutes Mansfield suddenly slipped into their passing groove with some fine combinations down the right involving Silk and on 12 minutes Arnold turned well to blast wide of goal.

But home skipper Lawton's hard, low ball in from the right soon after had Gamble scrambling to gather.

Jeannin was also safely in the way of a hopeful Senior pot from 25 yards.

On 24 minutes Little came inside from the right onto his left foot and from fully 30 yards let fly with a curling shot that Gamble had to throw himself to his right to turn away as it looped towards the top corner.

Gamble was crowded out at the corner but the ball dropped behind him for the second of three successive corners.

And from the third of those on 26 minutes, taken by Doughty from the right, Young got in a close range header which beat Gamble but Silk managed to clear off the line.

Stags were struggling to make an impact against the enthusiastic home side and, when Silk saw a low cross deflect towards D'Laryea, he had no power in his finish and it was easily blocked.

But on 33 minutes, from Silk's quickly taken free kick, Arnold crossed long to Stallard who should have done much better with his header from eight yards but sent it over the bar. His anguished reaction said it all.

Stallard also got in a shot on the turn from 20 yards but it bounced comfortably in front of the keeper and into his arms.

Stallard's never-say-die battling saw him rob Lane as the full back tried to shepherd the ball out and managed to pull it back for Lee who sliced his finish well wide. Arnold kept it in play and D'Laryea had a shot blocked before the pressure was ended by Lee pushing at the subsequent corner.

Lee then flicked on a Moses corner but Blackwood was only able to kick fresh air with his mistimed attempted scissor kick finish.

A minute from the break, cutting passes from experienced duo Lee and Stallard put Arnold in down the centre and it took a great save, diving to his left, for Coburn to keep out the low goal-bound finish.

Blackwood took the corner and Lee headed over from point blank range, the ball coming off the top of his head.

Stags had dominated first half possession and played the better football, but the home side were ahead and it could have been by more.

The second half did not begin well for the visitors as, within three minutes, an injury to left back Jeannin saw Hurren enter the action.

He went to central midfield with D'Laryea wide left and Blackwood pulled back to full back.

But Stags might have been level on 51 minutes as Blackwood's quickly taken free kick saw O'Hare running in un-noticed at the far post and his firm header forced another good save from Coburn, tipping over his bar.

On 53 minutes Arnold turned sharply to pull a low shot wide and, before play restarted, Robinson replaced Lee up front for Mansfield.

Lane turned a near post corner over the top in a rare Robins threat on 58 minutes.

Then goalscorer Senior played two one-twos on an exciting run but Blackwood intervened well to see the ball out.

Good approach play from Arnold set up Robinson for a far post cross which Hurren headed wide and took a bang in the face for his troubles.

Robinson slipped over in possession which sparked a home break which ended with Elam chipping into Gamble's hands.

Gamble then had to watch an 'outer space-bound' ball from Young carefully as it dropped and punch away as Senior jumped with him as it finally fell.

Blackwood went on a rare full throttle run from Gamble's throw out which took him almost to the by-line but his dangerous cross was gathered.

Then O'Hare did well to slide in and tackle as Elam shaped to shoot at the other end.

A great run down the right by Hurren saw him find Arnold who helped the ball on for Robinson. But his attempted overhead kick was crowded out by three brave defenders.

Three minutes from time as Stags pressed hard, they were almost caught out at the back, Gamble diving to palm away a Little drive.

A long throw by Hurren bounced right in front of goal as the keeper gathered and Stags ran out of time.

ALTRINCHAM: Coburn, Lane, Doughty (O'Neill 86), McGregor, Young, Lawton, Little (Meechan 87), Danylyk, Elam, Senior (Peyton 74), Densmore. Subs: Street, Ralph,.
STAGS: Gamble, Silk, D'Laryea, Moses, O'Hare, Arnold, Somner, Stallard, Lee (Robinson 53), Blackwood, Jeannin (Hurren 48). Subs not used: Shaw, McGhee, Herriott.
REFEREE: Mr P. Quinn of Middlesbrough.
ATTENDANCE: 1,005.
STAGS MAN OF THE MATCH: Gary Silk.