PROMOTION-CHASING Mansfield twice had to come from behind at home for a 2-2 draw with struggling Tranmere, who finished with 10 men.

Swindon had ended Stags’ 17-game unbeaten start to the season at the weekend and Tranmere drew first blood on a 13th-minute breakaway after Harvey Saunders sent Charlie Jolley clear to slot coolly past Christy Pym.

Aden Flint should have levelled on the half-hour but sent a close-range header wide from a Davis Keillor-Dunn free-kick.

Rovers were defending superbly and almost caught Mansfield on another breakaway after 32 minutes, this time Pym denying Saunders with a magnificent double save.

And five minutes later Mansfield were level as Keillor-Dunn helped on a low Jordan Bowery cross from the right and Rhys Oates was on hand to net from close range.

Mansfield pressed hard after the break, but Rovers sat firm and after 62 minutes when Keillor-Dunn failed to control, they stung Stags again on the counter as Rob Apter threaded a low 18-yard finish inside the right post.

But Mansfield were level again after 79 minutes as sub Will Swan’s shot from 16 yards deflected past Luke McGee.

In the third added minute Jordan Turnbull was dismissed for a second booking.

After the game, Tranmere manager Nigel Adkins said he was delighted to see his side get a point at the  promotion-chasers.

“I thought it was an excellent performance and a very good point,” said Adkins after Tranmere went four games unbeaten in their efforts to pull clear of trouble.

“They scored a deflected goal near the end which Luke (McGee) was going to save. That fortune has got to change and go our way eventually.

“But the work-rate and commitment from the players was phenomenal and the game plan worked superbly.

“We set ourselves a really good defensive shape against a good side.

“But we have the ability to intercept and counter attack.

“There is a spirit here. The lads have grafted today and had a go.

“Things are going against us at times but we have a whole group – not just 11 players – who are having a right go for Tranmere Rovers and each other and I think the fans appreciate that.

“We play some exciting football at times.”