AND so Mansfield Town's four amigos are back down to three. But while Andy Perry may have relinquished his role as chairman of the Stags, last night showed life will go on at Field Mill.

There is no doubting that Perry played a key part in setting up a new, post-Keith Haslam era. He toiled hard to revive a moribund club relegated from the Football League for the first time in over 70 years.

Yet though Mansfield and its fans owe him a debt of gratitude for his endeavours, they must now look to the future.

And, on the pitch at least, things appear to be taking shape for next season. The Stags paraded two more new signings in the shape of striker Keigan Parker and midfielder Tyrone Thompson, taking the tally of David Holdsworth's summer captures to eight.

Neither of the two 28-year-olds – Parker from Oldham and Thompson from Torquay – featured against Forest. In their absence, the Reds, fielding seven first-team squad members, outclassed the Stags at times.

Nathan Tyson gave the visitors the lead when he rounded Alan Marriott and finished confidently.

It was 2-0 to Forest in the 27th minute when Dele Adebola slotted into the right-hand corner after Brendan Moloney's surge.

However, Mansfield hung in there and played some good stuff in the second period.

Their reward came with 17 minutes to go when Ryan Williams converted a penalty after Niall O'Rafferty was brought down.

Off the field, the dust is now beginning to settle following Perry's decision to step down on Tuesday.

Director Andy Saunders has taken over as chairman in the interim ahead of the club's AGM in August.

"It came as a surprise, but Andy has put a lot into it in the last two years," he said.

"All three of us directors have, as well as Steve Hymas once he came on board – financially and in terms of hard work.

"Andy has helped get the club where it is now and the key thing is to keep it going.

"It's probably not the best timing, but he has other commitments. The chairman's job can take up a lot of time."

Speculation has suggested Perry quit because he was no longer willing to continue to pump money into the club as before.

Hymas revealed earlier this month that the directors were forced to subsidise the club to the tune of £10,000 per week last season.

Saunders said: "I don't know what Andy's personal financial situation is. Whether he felt he couldn't commit himself in that way, I don't know.

"Andy is still a shareholder at this time and what happens with that is something to be dealt with later."

Mansfield: Marriott, Silk, Preece (Naylor 82), Foster (C. Smith 58), Sandwith (Williams 58), A. Smith (Caines 58), Somner (Munn 82), Istead (Mills 46), Stonehouse, Briscoe (Gregory 69), O'Rafferty. Subs not used: Collett, Higginson.

Forest: Smith, Lesseles, Gibbons, Anderson, McGugan (Kay 83), Adebola, Tyson (Reynor 81), Artymatas, Moussi, Maloney, Lynch (Rodney 64). Subs not used: Mytides.

Referee: Russell Booth (Sutton-in-Ashfield).

Attendance: 3,247 (1,172 visitors).