At least it ended Stags' miserable run of seven straight home defeats against a side they have not beaten since September 2003.

But it had seemed skipper Jake Buxton's 55th minute strike, coupled with a string of great saves from keeper Carl Muggleton, would be enough to earn that elusive home win until Rooney struck just four minutes after joining the action.

Buxton's goal was the first time they had netted against Bury at home in four seasons.

But the visitors hit back strongly after going behind and deserved a share of the spoils as Stags ended a cold night still stuck in the bottom two.

Mansfield were dealt a pre-match blow when midfielder Stephen Dawson was ruled out with illness.

He was replaced by youngster Chris Wood who went to right back with Keith Briggs pushed into central midfield.

Bury, playing into the wind, charged straight into the home box from kick-off but Stags cleared their lines.

The sides then swapped early corners, Hamshaw's at the Quarry Lane end bending in spectacular fashion in the strong wind before going well wide.

A second corner on six minutes saw Boulding get a good head onto Hamshaw's kick and forced Randolph into a good save to push it over.

On nine minutes Adams found Bishop just inside the right of the box and he quickly rifled a shot over the top.

Sodje was strong to hold off Boulding as they chased a Hamshaw through ball.

Then Challinor's short backpass put Randolph in trouble, but the keeper beat Louis to the ball and cleared.

Muggleton gathered a dangerous Bishop cross at the second attempt before Buxton tamely headed wide from Mansfield's fourth corner as both sides struggled to get the ball down and play in the gusting conditions.

Atkinson did well to set up a chance for Boulding, making a great interception before making ground down the left and feeding Boulding whose first time shot was blocked.

But on 29 minutes the Shakers should have gone ahead as Bishop's flick put Hurst behind the defence and he poked wide of the near post.

Bury called for a penalty when Muggleton's second challenge knocked over Hurst after failing to hold onto a cross above the striker's head, but they were given only a corner.

Stags were equally furious when a late offside flag halted Louis as he looked to have gone clear seconds later.

Briggs was booked on 40 minutes for bringing down Barry-Murphy.

But the home side might have gone ahead a minute later when Boulding pulled the ball back for Hamshaw whose delightful far post cross was nodded wide by Louis who looked a certain scorer.

Then Adams' hard, low shot flew across a crowded Mansfield six yard box as a poor half ended without score.

A quick Hamshaw free kick almost caught out Bury only for Sodje's challenge to force the ball off the Stags striker into touch before he could shoot.

Boulding couldn't get on the end of another telling Hamshaw cross. The ball bounced beyond him and rose too quickly for Atkinson to get over it as his finish flew well over.

On 50 minutes the deadlock was almost broken as Boulding broke into the box from Hamshaw's pass and drilled a low shot across Randolph only to see it come back off the foot of the far post.

Stags kept the pressure on and, after great work from Atkinson, Briggs saw the ball bobble as he tried to curl it over the keeper and it sailed well over.

Bury's first threat of the half saw Hurst leap to nod a Bennett cross onto the roof of the net.

Then Hurst came even closer as Haslam's cross evaded everyone to find him at the far post and he headed straight at Muggleton.

But Stags also came desperately close on 54 minutes when Boulding's cross saw Louis place a well-directed header which Randolph somehow got across for turn for a corner.

But when that corner turned into a scramble, Mansfield grabbed a crucial 55th minute lead. Hamshaw's ball in saw Briggs force a great block from Randolph with his header.

Buxton's initial follow-up was also kept out from close range but the ball came back to him and this time the Stags skipper made no mistake, ramming the ball high into the net.

A Scott header was easy for Muggleton as Bury looked to reply.

A high forward ball from Briggs put Atkinson behind the last defender. But the ball would not come down and after it bounced high, the Hull loanee pocked tamely wide.

On 70 minutes Bennett warmed Muggleton's hands with a 20 yard blast which the Stags keeper clutched at the second attempt after initially pushing it upwards.

Muggleton had to save again from a Bennett volley from a half clearance though it was straight at him and contained little venom.

On 77 minutes Sodje was left in acres of space on the right and Muggleton dived to his right to beat away his powerful shot.

Stags were under more pressure as Bennett got another good shot away from a corner routine which again brought the best out of Muggleton as he tipped over.

Stags struggled to clear the corner but Bishop eventually blazed well over with home fans barely able to watch.

Bury sent on Rooney for Hurst 10 minutes from time and within four minutes the substitute struck a heart-breaking equaliser.

Scott's initial shot was blocked by D'Laryea and, as it dropped, Rooney kept his eye on it and executed a perfectly placed volleyed finish just inside the near post.

Deep into stoppage time Randolph had to beat Boulding to the ball just outside his box.

MANSFIELD: Muggleton, Mullins, Jelleyman, D'Laryea, Hamshaw, M. Boulding, Buxton, Louis, Atkinson, Wood, Briggs. Subs not used: White, McAliskey, Brown, Arnold, Holmes.

BURY: Randolph, Scott, Challinor, Haslam, Hurst (Rooney 80), Bishop, Barry-Murphy, Buchanan, Adams, Bennett, Sodje. Subs not used: Provett, Baker, Parrish, Yeo.

REFEREE: Kevin Wright of Cambridgshire.

ATTENDANCE: 1,933

GOALS: Mansfield - Buxton 55, Bury - Rooney 84.

CAUTIONS: Mansfield - Briggs 40 (foul on Barry-Murphy)

STAGS MAN OF THE MATCH: Carl Muggleton.