VIDEO: Mansfield Town cast eye over Luke Rodgers in Heanor defeat

Rodgers is without a club after parting company with Forest Green Rovers last season.

A defensive error allowed Rodgers to race on and fire past Scott Whittingham in the home goal after 11 minutes.

But that lead lasted only two minutes as Chris Shaw’s corner was headed in by Jason Cooper at the near post.

Kieran Debrouwer then put the Lions in front on 17 minutes when he raced through to slot home just inside the left hand up right.

Just before the half-hour mark Luke Rodgers put away a superb 20-yard free kick that flew in off the right hand post to make it 2-2 at the break.

The home side’s winner came on 55 minutes when Cooper forced the ball home from close range for his second and Heanor probably should have added more by the end.

Two of Heanor’s new signings in Chris Bettney and Ryan Booker were on show with the latter playing the whole 90 minutes and looking comfortable in his defensive position.

The night began on a sad note as both sides observed a minute’s silence for Keith Costello, the former Heanor Town secretary, whose association and work for the club spanned a time scale of 40 years and had passed away recently.

A player from each side also walked to the front of The Keith Costello stand to place a floral tribute on behalf of each club.