IT was almost as if this match was being penned as a Daryl Clare fairytale – but then the author changed his mind and decided to tear up his scribblings at the last moment.

Hans Christian Andersen and the brothers Grimm would have been proud of the way the prolific striker was scripted to be the Stags' knight in shining armour, coming off the bench to score only six minutes into his full Stags debut.

It set the scene for the visitors to get revenge on a key figure in any good storybook – the villain of the piece – who on this occasion took on the shape of Grays chairman Mick Woodward.

But then just as things were heading for a happy Stags ending in the shape of another three points and clean sheet, their world came crashing down.

Like the strike of midnight for Cinderella, everything manager David Holdsworth and his players were coveting disappeared in a flash.

The last few minutes were more like a horror story as a likely 1-0 victory rapidly turned into a 2-1 defeat.

And this time even goalkeeper Alan Marriott, so often the fairy godmother-like saviour, could do nothing to prevent it happening.

The tale started as the Mansfield team bus arrived at the New Recreation Ground and Aaron O'Connor was refused entry to the home of his previous employers.

Woodward was said to have put out the instruction to bar the striker but, as he would not comment on the matter afterwards, one can only presume he was still unhappy about last summer's transfer of the player between the two clubs.

It's true the deal was the subject of an FA inquiry, but Mansfield were cleared of any wrongdoing earlier this year.

The only conclusion to deduce is that Woodward was not happy with that judgment – there is no other logical explanation.

Whatever the reasoning, the result was that O'Connor was forced to sit in the front room of one of his old mates while the game was completed.

As bizarre as that incident was, it proved to be just one act in a game that was full of drama, even if most of it came after the interval.

The first half was most notable for referee Ian Cooper hobbling off with a calf injury to be replaced by one of his assistants, so dull was the action.

Despite being given all the motivation they needed by the O'Connor situation, Mansfield failed to find the early thrust and verve they would have hoped for after beating Forest Green 3-0 in their previous outing.

Only towards the end of the first 45 minutes did they show the inclination to attack with purpose, but Mark Stallard was denied by Rob Beckwith's smart, low save.

Half-time words of wisdom from Holdsworth had the desired effect as Mansfield finally began to pin back relegation-threatened Grays.

Although the hosts did miss a glorious chance to go in front soon after the restart when Andy Pugh headed straight at Marriott, for the next 20 minutes the Stags took control, both in terms of territory and possession.

Twice Scott Garner went close with headers following Ryan Williams' corners, as did Rob Duffy from a third.

Stallard then had an even better chance than his one in the first half but was again denied by the reflexes of Beckwith.

It was all set up perfectly for Clare, who is still getting back to full fitness after arriving at Mansfield on loan from Rushden. And he did not disappoint.

Louis Briscoe, who joined the action at the same time, ran at the Grays defence and sent over a brilliant, low cross from the right.

As the ball flew across the six-yard box, Clare was there, where it mattered, to slot into an unguarded goal with his first meaningful touch. Stags fans will hope that is a sign of things to come – this season and next.

Of late, Mansfield have gone on to shut off games with ease in similar scenarios, yet this time it did not happen.

Fighting for their lives, Grays kept going and equalised when George Beavan was allowed too much time to cross from the left in the 83rd minute and Jamie Slabber headed past Marriott from eight yards.

Even at that, a draw did not seem a disaster for the Stags, but in the final minute of four added on for stoppages came the real sickener.

Again the centre came from the left, Slabber this time the provider, and Pugh stooped to glance a near-post header into the far corner.

A defeat was tough on Mansfield, but Holdsworth was not interested in hard luck stories.

He was more concerned that the type of defending that saw the team to eight shut-outs in their previous 11 games went AWOL.

In victory, the gaffer has made a habit of giving his players an extra day off as a reward.

This week, you can be guaranteed, they will be spending extra time out on the training ground correcting what went wrong in Essex.

Why? Because only if Mansfield settle into a long winning streak is Holdsworth likely to live happily every after.