THE crowd may have been disappointing, but at least the game itself delivered.

Unlike in midweek against Forest, when more than 2,000 Mansfield fans turned out, this fixture did not capture the imagination.

Some may have felt they had better things to do in the middle of a mid-summer weekend; others may have been saving their pennies.

But the loyalists, numbering less than 1,000, who did turn out, were rewarded with a crisp, competitive match in which the Stags again underlined their promise in the build-up to the new season.

There is no doubting it's going to be tough for the Stags considering the log-jam of clubs desperate to re-establish their Football League status.

Nevertheless, David Holdsworth and his players are pushing hard to put together a winning formula.

At this stage, there is still plenty of experimentation going on. Trialist Danny Mitchley started up front, for instance, as did youth player Bradley Munn, while a completely different team finished the game to the one which had started it.

There will also be at least one more new face, maybe more, before the season kicks off on August 14.

Yet the shape and balance of the team is starting to emerge, ensuring they could stand toe-to-toe with a Tranmere side featuring eight first-teamers and three trialists.

Mansfield were trailing at half-time to the Birkenhead outfit, but stuck to their guns and bossed the second half.

It was much-deserved when they managed an equaliser five minutes from time – and in the closing stages they could have nicked it.

Still, the result was not important. The fact Mansfield have not been overawed or outplayed by three Championship sides and a League One club in pre-season is.

The Stags worked hard to keep the ball on the deck in the first half, but it merely seemed to confirm what everyone already knows.

With Rob Duffy not certain to start the season, the club need reinforcements up front in the shape of a recognised striker.

Mitchley and Lee Gregory did their best, but both are still young professionals making their way in the game and with much to learn.

It meant the Stags lacked a little punch in front of goal and did not test Gunnar Nielsen too often.

Louis Briscoe's curling free-kick, that the Tranmere keeper easily gathered, and Adam Smith's header from a Gary Mills corner that flew off target were as close as they came.

At the other end, Alan Marriott made an excellent save to deny Joss Labadie, but he could do nothing to prevent Rovers' 27th minute opener.

An Ian Thomas-Moore shot from the edge of the box looked to be heading into his midriff until a wicked deflection totally deceived the former Lincoln keeper to find the net.

The Stags fought back well after the interval and got closer and closer before drawing level.

Kyle Nix – back from an unsuccessful trial in Holland with Sparta Rotterdam – and Chris Smith both went close.

But Nix was not to be denied on his 'homecoming' as he smashed a deflected effort past Neilsen from the edge of the box.

In the closing stages, it was all Mansfield as Tranmere hung on.

Keigan Parker joined the action along with fellow new signing Tyrone Thompson and the Scottish striker was oh so close with a shot that deflected wide after a neat turn had earned him space to let fly.

And in the dying moments, John Leonard tired his luck from distance and Nielsen was required to tip the ball over the bar.

It all meant the home fans went home with smiles on their faces and reason to be optimistic.

The hope is they will still feel that way when the campaign gets underway for real.

Mansfield: Marriott (Collett 46), Silk (Leonard 88), Naylor (Preece 46), Foster (C. Smith 46), Stonehouse (Sandwith 54), Mills (Nix 54), Munn (Thompson 69), Briscoe (Cain 54), A. Smith (Williams 61), Mitchley (O'Rafferty 61), Gregory (Parker 69).

Tranmere: Nielsen, Mollyoak, Cresswell, McLaren, Goodison, Wood, Gornell, Labadie, Thomas-Moore, Welsh, Bojang (Jennings 79). Subs not used: Benson, Collister, Fraughan, Bakayogo, Mackreth.

Attendance: 812 (63 visitors).