NEW signing Rob Duffy gave new boss David Holdsworth a winning start with the only goal of a tense game to end high-flying Crawley's nine-match unbeaten run.
Holdsworth had to wait 19 days for this first game in charge during which time he had said how much he likes 1-0 victories and that it may not always be pretty as he tries to haul Stags back to safety.
- Click here for post-match reaction from the two managers
Well that was just what we got as Stags frustrated a Crawley side who dominated possession but just couldn't find a way past the dogged home defence.
The crossbar did come to the rescue 10 minutes from time from a Jon-Paul Pittman blast. But otherwise new keeper Alan Marriott deserved his clean sheet after a polished, assured Man of the Match display between the sticks.
Duffy's textbook volley on 27 minutes proved to be the winner.
Otherwise this new-look Stags side spent much of the game on the back foot with new boy Scott Garner impressing hugely alongside Adie Moses.
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Four of David Holdsworth's new signings made their debuts with Marriott in goal, Garner in defence, Briscoe on the right wing and Duffy up front in a 4-4-2 formation.
D'Laryea, who signed a new extended contract with the club last week, was handed the honour of becoming Holdsworth's first captain.
The afternoon began on a sad note as the club paid tribute to former manager Ian Greaves who died two weeks ago.
Club chaplain Tim Mitchell said a few words about the Stags' best-ever manager before the teams and crowd joined in with a minute's applause.
Marriott made his first contribution on three minutes as he gathered a Chalmers long throw as the huge frame of Quinn charged into him, the new keeper holding on safely.
A minute later Arnold's left wing cross took a deflection which saw it bounce awkwardly in the Crawley box and O'Connor was quickly in to hook the loose ball over the bar.
Rents came up with a good tackle on Arnold as he tried to make space in the box following an exchange of passes with O'Connor.
On 13 minutes Crawley won a free kick 25 yards from goal which Malcolm curled straight to Marriott.
But Chalmers should have done better soon after as Fletcher chested down a right wing cross and Chalmers sliced an 18 yard finish well wide with time and space to hit the target.
Crawley keeper Rayner fisted clear Stags' first corner.
But there was danger for Mansfield on 22 minutes when Stags had to survive a scramble in the six yard box and the ball was cleared to Rents on the left.
He curled it back in and Marriott, under pressure failed to hold on. The ball fell invitingly for Quinn but Marriott blocked in from almost point blank range.
The visitors were enjoying a good spell now and Pittman pulled a low shot wide before Stags had to defend the Red Devils' first two corners.
But it was the Stags who swept ahead on 27 minutes. Arnold looked up in the box and chipped an inviting ball to Duffy to his left.
The striker controlled on his chest and then met it full on the volley, the keeper getting a hand to it but unable to keep it out at the near post.
Mansfield were almost caught out by a swift counter attack on 29 minutes as Bulman broke down the left and slotted a near low to pass to Weatherstone who had ran in late on the far side of the box only to see Jeannin get a vital block on his low first time finish.
Crawley won another 25 yard free kick, more central this time, which Weatherstone hit just over the bar.
The visitors were piling on the pressure now and Marriott made a superb reaction save to turn over a point blank range far post header from Chalmers.
The corner reached Malcolm at the far post who crashed a vicious just wide as Stags hung on.
The pressure was relieved by a couple of home corners and, when the second was half cleared, Briscoe blazed into the sidenetting from a tight angle.
Marriott was alert to a high ball on the edge of his box, racing out to head clear above Pittman.
Stags did break promisingly from Crawley's sixth corner but Arnold took too long to see O'Connor in space on his right and the visitors were able to get back in numbers.
Rents was well over from 30 yards as the visitors began the second half on the front foot.
Then Pittman got to the left by-line and drilled a low ball across goal almost along the goal line with no one there to add a finishing touch.
Stags lost Jeannin on 52 minutes with a knock which saw Kay on as a straight replacement.
Two minutes later Chalmers was booked for going in late as Silk cleared his lines and the Crawley man then stayed down for treatment to the boos of the home supporters.
On 56 minutes Arnold blasted a 25 yard free kick on target which almost knocked Rayner over as he got behind it to block with his fists.
Holdsworth made another change on 58 minutes as loan signing Ameobi replaced Arnold.
More Crawley pressure saw Stags defend well with Rents eventually firing well over from 20 yards.
On 73 minutes Duffy's debut was cut short with injury and Stallard joined the action.
Straight away Kay volleyed a big clearance upfield from 20 yards inside his own half which the keeper had to watch all the way as it caught on the wind and threatened to hit the target.
Quinn was booked for cynically blocking O'Connor's run as Stags tried to break down the centre.
The visitors began to turn the screw in search of an equaliser and only the bar saved the Stags on 80 minutes as Pittman fired a full blooded shot through a crowd of players from 15 yards.
The danger was not clear an D'Laryea had to block a Weatherstone effort before Marriott safely gathered a low Fletcher finish.
Stags almost stole a second, however, on 84 minutes as a neat pass from Ameobe slipped Briscoe into the left of the box only to see his finish bulge the sidenetting.
In the last minute Marriott was down bravely at the feet of Pittman as Crawley again threatened.
But Stags worked the clock down well, even in four minutes of added time to take three very hard-earned points.
MANSFIELD TOWN: Marriott, Silk, Moses, Garner, Jeannin (Kay 52mins); Briscoe, Somner, D'Laryea, Arnold (Ameobi 58mins); Duffy (Stallard 73mins), O'Connor: Subs: Burrell, Whatsize.
CRAWLEY: Rayner, Wilson, Wright, Quinn, Rents; Weatherstone, Bulman, Chalmers; Malcolm, Fletcher, Pittman. Subs: Mills, Stevens, Pinault, Carter, Nayee.
REFEREE: Mr Jake Collin, of Liverpool.
BOOKINGS: Crawley - Chalmers, 54mins, foul, Quinn, 75mins foul.
ATTENDANCE: 2,414 (65)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Marriott
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