JUST 24 hours after one Holdsworth brother was celebrating promotion, the other felt the despair of having the opportunity to match that achievement effectively wiped out.

Dean had the delight of leading his Newport County side to promotion to the Blue Square Premier next season on Monday night, thanks to a 2-0 victory over Havant and Waterlooville.

But sibling David tasted the game at the other end of the spectrum last night at Field Mill as Mansfield's defeat to rivals York means hopes of claiming a place in the play-offs looks a distant dream.

The Minstermen had not won for seven games prior to their trip to North Nottinghamshire and were one of the teams the Stags were hoping to catch.

But, as has been the case before, Mansfield have been unable to find the quality to make a move up the table when it has most mattered.

What was perhaps most frustrating for the home faithful was that a side including several players known for their flair, people like recalled Andy Burgess and Blair Sturrock, and ability to play the ball on the floor.

Yet, too often, the Stags, especially in the first half, insisted on booting it long, which instantly nullified the potency and inventiveness of the hosts' attacks.

Things did improve in the second period, but it could also be levelled at the team, given the situation the team was in relative to the play-offs, that they were not positive enough.

Of course, it is important Mansfield don't lose games during the run-in.

But it is equally vital they string a run of victories together and they rarely showed the urgency required to take three points.

Evidence of that was the Stags' shot count which stood at just four, with just two strikes on target that were both easily saved.

Neither side went into the game full of confidence and while Mansfield were five unbeaten, they had failed to produce their best in Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Tamworth.

A sign Holdsworth was unhappy with that performance against the Lambs came with a switch to 4-3-3 and three changes in personnel.

Out went Ryan Williams, Kyle Nix and the injured Jon Shaw, who had picked up a kick on the back of his knee.

In came Burgess for his first start since the Stags lost at AFC Wimbledon in January, Sturrock, who last figured from the start at Ebbsfleet in November, and Jon Challinor, back after a knee problem.

After a slow opening, York got in the first shot on target as neat skill from Michael Gash opened up an opportunity for him on the edge of the box but he shot straight at Alan Marriott.

The Blue Square Premier's top scorer, Richard Brodie, didn't need a second invitation to shoot soon after but his drive was well blocked by the retreating Challinor.

Mansfield won the game's first corner in the 17th minute but keeper Michael Ingham came off his line to collect Andy Burgess' delivery with ease.

The Minstermen responded from a free-kick that saw Gash tee up Brodie, whose volley was always flying well over.

Marriott made sure with a Brodie snapshot, but in doing so carried the ball out for a corner before confidently claimed the resulting ball in.

Just before the half hour, brilliant play from Louis Briscoe, in tandem with Blair Sturrock, saw him reach the right byline but no Stags player was on hand to turn the ball in as he fired across the six-yard box.

York continued to have the better of the openings and Ben Purkiss might have done better when he shot into the side-netting after cutting into the area and nutmegging Andy Nicholas.

Next to try his luck for the visitors was Neil Barrett, who fired wide of the right-hand post from 20 yards after picking up a first-time Brodie lay-off.

In the lead up to half-time, though, there was nothing to suggest either side would make the breakthrough.

Mansfield did start the second half with more of a spark and Sturrock and Gary Silk combined to play in Challinor whose right-footed drive from a tight angle was pushed away by Ingham.

Soon after, Gary Mills' delivery from a left-wing free-kick was poor and straight into Ingham's waiting hands.

York were inches from going ahead in the 61st minute when Gash headed just wide of the right-hand post from Paul Harsley's right-wing free-kick.

But the Minstermen were in front just seconds later through a fantastic strike from Courtney Pitt.

He cut in from the left past Gary Silk to unleash a thunderbolt of a strike from the edge of the box which flew past Marriott.

York had the opportunity to double their lead almost immediately as Pitt went down in the box amid three Mansfield players and the referee awarded a penalty.

Brodie stepped up in an attempt to convert from the spot, as he had done in York's 3-0 win over the Stags on Boxing Day.

But although he struck his kick well for the left corner, Marriott guessed the correct way and superbly pushed the ball around the post for a corner.

That gave Mansfield, and certainly the fans new home, optimism further boosted by the introduction of Jake Speight and Kyle Perry for Rob Duffy and Sturrock.

Speight was quickly involved as he picked out Challinor, whose shot was on target but easily dealt with by Ingham.

Sangare was relieved to escape a second yellow card when he appeared to catch Perry with an elbow, instead lecturing both players.

Mansfield were reduced to ten men eight minutes from the end of normal time as he brought down Michael Rankine on the right wing and was shown a second yellow card.

That made it difficult for them to put on any late pressure in search of an equaliser, Speight's lob wide being the closest they came.

There were less boos come the final whistle than after Mansfield's draw with Tamworth.

But perhaps that was recognition from the home fans that this Stags side does not look to have quite what it takes to finish in the top five.