A Danilo Orsi hat-trick ensured our Papa John's Trophy Group H campaign started with a win on an eventful night at The EnviroVent Stadium.
Orsi put Town ahead a minute before the break and grabbed a second in the 53rd minute, just seconds after Jordan Bowery had fired a penalty against the bar, with Simon Power carrying the ball up the other end to set up his teammate.The visitors did get on the score sheet through George Lapslie, but Orsi's third ended any hopes of an away comeback and helped Town to a fourth win from five to start the season.
Simon Weaver made seven changes from Saturday's draw with Exeter with Joe Cracknell and Will Smith making their first appearances of the season, while there was a debut for Nathan Sheron at left back.
With the announcement of Jack Diamond's return prior to kick-off, the EnviroVent Stadium was in great voice, but it was Simon Power who first got the crowd off their seats, collecting a cross field pass from George Thomson before beating his marker for pace and forcing a save from George Shelvey.
The visitors then showed what they can do as a dangerous Jason Law cross from the left was headed onto the foot of the post by Jordan Bowery.
Lloyd Kerry was next to have a chance after beating Ferrand Rawson, but couldn't find the target with a rused effort, with Alex Pattison sending a spectacular effort over not long after.
Power was next to hit the woodwork as he bent the ball onto the outside of the frame of the goal after Aaron Martin's lay off.
Just as it looked like it would be a goalless half, Orsi claimed his first goal for the club, following in Pattison's shot that was spilled by Shelvey and firing into the empty net.
Seven minutes into the second half the contest burst into life as George Lapslie became the latest player to hit the woodwork, with Tyrese Sinclair's follow up striking the arm of Pattison, resulting in Referee Andy Haines pointing to the spot.
Jordan Bowery stepped up, but again rattled the crossbar, and Town took full advantage as Power sprinted up the other end of the pitch and crossed to Orsi, who claimed his second of the evening by beating Shelvey from close range.
The visitors struck the post for a fourth time just before the hour mark as James Clarke's volley clipped the inside of the goalframe and bounced across the line, with Cracknell doing well to keep out the follow up.
Mansfield eventually got their name on the score sheet in the 66th minute when Lapslie took aim from the edge of the box, with Cracknell keeping out the initial strike only to see the ball bounce over the line in the aftermath.
Town's two goal lead was restored four minutes later though with Orsi claiming his hat-trick!
Mansfield had struggled to deal with both Fallowfeld and Power's deliveries, with Martin's header palmed into the path of a grateful Orsi to tuck away his third.
After Town's third, Weaver took the opportunity to change things up, introducing Josh Falkingham and Jack Muldoon, who's fresh legs and experience helped see out the game and open our Papa John's campaign with a win.
Town: Cracknell, Fallowfield, Smith, Thomson (Muldoon 78), Martin, Orsi, Sheron, Pattison (Falkingham 77), Kerry, Hall (Burrell 64), Power
Subs not used: Page, McArdle, Armstrong
Goals: Orsi 44, 53, 70
Booked: Power, Sheron, Pattison, Thomson, Kerry
Mansfield: Shelvey, Rawson (Oates 54), Charsley, Bowery, Burke, Sinclair (Cooper 78), Ward, J Clarke, Law, Hill, Lapslie (Caine 69)
Subs not used: Bishop, Gordon, O Clarke, Johnson
Goals: Lapslie 66
Booked: Burke
Referee: A Haines
Attendance: 825 (135 away)