Positive signs for Mansfield Town despite ending pre-season with defeat to Derby

Michael Smith cancelled out Dajaune Brown’s opener midway through the first half with a fine finish.

But second half goals from Charlie Smith and Cruz Allen were enough to seal victory for the Championship side.

Stags were perhaps architects of their own downfall with some sloppy defensive moments being effectively exposed by the Rams.

But Nigel Clough’s side can also count themselves unlucky with Smith and Rhys Oates both being denied by the woodwork during good spells for Stags.

Mansfield took a different shape into the game which saw David McGoldrick lining up in the hole behind Tyler Roberts and Smith in a 3-4-1-2 formation.

On the face of it, it was a tweak which looks like it could well pay dividends in League One with the trio linking up well to create plenty of chances for the hosts and cause Derby problems.

But next up Stags now face Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup as competitive football returns back to the One Call Stadium next weekend.

Stags started the game with those who played 20 minutes in the 4-0 win at Alfreton for a 70 minute run-out.

Bailey Cargill failed to shake off his hamstring injury, while Liam Roberts missed out as he continues to recover from a strained back.

Regan Hendry was unable to get on the end of a dangerous low cross from Lukas Akins on nine minutes as Stags enjoyed a bright start.

Deji Oshlilaja made a brilliant last-ditch stop as last man to prevent Owen Eames getting in on goal minutes later.

Charlie Smith saw a long-range effort deflected for a corner on 20 minutes during a decent spell of possession for the Rams.

And they made it count midway through the half when Brown slotted home with ease after Lars-Jorgen Salvesen got the better of Frazer Blake-Tracy to play him in.

But Stags were level on 30 minutes thanks to a cool curling finish from Smith after he collected the ball out wide before engineering a chance.

McGoldrick was denied a second seven minutes later by the legs of Josh Vickers after he got in on goal from Roberts’ defence-splitting pass.

Blake-Tracy should have done better just before the break when he fluffed a free-header from Jon Russell’s corner.

Smith ratted the crossbar after getting on the end of a corner in the opening minutes of the second half.

Lewis did well to block a decent strike from Salvesen, before Vickers did likewise at the other end to keep out a rasping effort from McGoldrick.

Smith put the visitors back in front on 57 minutes after he was given far too much time to pick his spot from the edge of the box.

It was game over on 70 minutes when Cruz Allen slotted home after again finding too much time and space around the penalty spot.

Oates cracked a post seconds after coming on as Stags’ luck continued to go against them.