MANSFIELD Town's 2010 started in disappointing fashion as they were beaten by two first half goals at AFC Wimbledon.

The Stags got off to a disastrous start, conceding a goal from Nathan Elder in only the second minute, and never recovered.

Their biggest problems, particularly in the first half, were at the back as they struggled to get to grips with the powerful Elder and tricky Jon Main.

Lewis Taylor made it 2-0 to the Dons with a slick strike midway through the first half.

Mansfield did create chances themselves and improved their overall performance in the second period.

But it was not enough to prevent the Dons leapfrogging the Stags into fourth place.

Mansfield had the worst possible start, going a goal down in the opening minutes, as they gave Dan Poole too much space and he made them pay.

The former Grays winger picked out Elder with a pinpoint cross from the left and the front man found the left corner with a header to make a dream start on debut.

It needed a last-gasp stop from Scott Garner to prevent the Dons going 2-0 up as Lewis Taylor shot for goal after being fed by Elder.

At the other end, Andy Burgess curled over the top following a right-wing centre by Gary Silk.

In the 12th minute, Burgess released Louis Briscoe into space down the left and he twisted and turned before seeing his drive well blocked.

Soon after, Silk took a back heel from Kyle Perry in his stride but his attempted low finish was diverted into the side netting by Dons' keeper Seb Brown.

From the resulting corner, Perry got in a far post header but was off target.

The chances continued to come for the Stags and as Taylor miscued a back pass, Perry was away.

Under pressure, he scuffed his effort and though Briscoe got there before Brown, the home keeper made a point blank save.

Duffy was the next to have a clear sight of goal as he shot early from 20 yards, but straight into the midriff of Brown.

It was far too easy for Wimbledon to double their lead in the 22nd minute.

Sam Hatton was allowed acres to centre from the right and as Elder headed across goal from the far post, Taylor was allowed time to plant a ten-yard shot beyond Alan Marriott.

Although Mansfield were struggling at the back, they were creating opportunities at the other end and this time Briscoe flashed past the angle after a neat turn.

Wimbledon responded with a right-footed effort from Poole that curved just past the upright.

Mansfield's Duffy then flicked on a long ball to Perry, who would have been in on goal with a better first touch.

In the closing minutes of the half, Will Hendry latched onto Main's pass but couldn't get his drive on target.

Before the game restarted, Luke Jones was introduced for Garner in the centre of the Stags defence.

Mansfield had a golden opportunity to pull a goal back ten minutes into the second period when Paul Heckingbottom crossed for Perry, who volleyed over from eight yards.

Jake Speight was then introduced into the action with Burgess making way.

Matt Somner was the first player into the referee's notebook after fouling Hatton.

As Wimbledon threatened to score a third, Brough made a crucial tackle to halt the progress of Elder.

A swift break from the visitors saw Hatton deny Duffy with a superb sliding challenge as the Welshman shaped to fire home.

After Speight had caused problems, Mansfield had four successive corners but Wimbledon defended them well.

With 16 minutes to go, Jon Shaw came on to make his Stags debut as Duffy left the field.

A misunderstanding between Marriott and James gave substitute Ricky Wellard the chance to nod home from distance.

Fortunately for the Stags, Marriott raced back to tip the midfielder's effort over the top.

Mansfield thought they had set up a tense finale as Speight lobbed home after being released by Perry only to be judged offside.

Marriott then made a top drawer stop in the closing stages to keep out a Wellard drive bound for the top left hand corner.