But it was not a wasted season with Stags using that pain, and the foundations laid, to go on and lift the Conference Premier title the following year.
Here we take a look at the squad that got Mansfield ticking once again and find out what happened to them when they departed the One Call Stadium.
On 1 January 2012, Hutchinson moved to Mansfield Town on a free transfer in the hope of getting his career back on track. After two-and-a-half years with Mansfield, Hutchinson was released at the end of the 13/14 season. His last known club was Carlton Town. Photo: Chris Etchells
No words are really needed for what Matt Green - scorer of 'that goal' did at Mansfield Town. After leaving Mansfield the first time for Birmingham, he returned to Stags and scored 26 times in 86 games. Photo: Anne Shelley
After enjoying plenty of success with Mansfield, Matt Rhead did just the same at Lincoln, finishing the 2016/17 season as Lincoln's top scorer as they won the National League. Rhead joined Alfreton Town after spells with Billericay and Borehamwood. Photo: Dan Westwell