03/09/2007 - Mansfield Town 4 Stockport County 2
IT was Keith Curle who said during his tenure as manager that Mansfield never seemed to do things the easy way
And though the former England man has long since departed the Field Mill hot-seat, those words continue to ring true.
In what was one of the most thrilling and engrossing games of football you are ever likely to see, the Stags were in cruise control at 4-0 up with just over half an hour played.
But come the full-time whistle they needed to show all their fighting qualities and determination just to hold onto the three points.
There will not be many matches this season, if any, that have more incident than this one.
Quite apart from the six goals, there were two penalties - one of which was saved - a sending off, a clearance off the line, glaring misses, good saves and a tense finale when four minutes of stoppage time was added on.
It may have been entertaining for the fans, but it is doubtful respective managers Billy Dearden and Jim Gannon enjoyed the game so much.
Some of the defending left a lot to be desired but for Dearden, those feelings were at least tempered by the relief Mansfield had finally got that first win on the board.
Before kick-off the home players were told to keep it tight in the first 20 minutes. In their previous three League Two games, Mansfield had conceded an early goal and been on the back foot almost from the word go.
This time, though, they were the ones to go ahead early - and the confidence that inspired allowed the hosts to go on and play with a freedom and invention in attack that was far too good for Stockport.
After Carl Muggleton - back in goal in place of the out-of-sorts Jason White - made an important save from Jason Taylor inside the first 40 seconds, Mansfield swept forward down the right.
Matt Hamshaw whipped the ball to the far post where impressive debutant Lee Bullock headed back across goal for John McAliskey to volley home.
The lead was soon doubled in the ninth minute when former Hatter Martin McIntosh crashed home an unstoppable free-kick from 25 yards. Stockport were still reeling when they went 3-0 behind as McIntosh turned provider, heading Hamshaw's right-wing corner into the path of defensive partner Jake Buxton, who blasted in his first of the new season.
It could have been four just after the half hour when Stephen Dawson was sent tumbling by Carlos Logan and a penalty was awarded.
As last man, the Stockport keeper was lucky not to see red, but then got up to save Michael Boulding's penalty.
But the Stags' striker got his revenge with a matter of seconds as another spot-kick was awarded when Johnny Mullins was tripped by Taylor.
This time, Boulding sent Logan the wrong way for his fourth league goal in as many matches and Mansfield were amazingly 4-0 in front.
That should have been that, but then things began to go wrong.
First Mansfield conceded two goals to Adam Proudlock before half-time - albeit the second when down to ten with McIntosh off the field receiving treatment - to give the visitors a sense of hope.
Then McIntosh failed to emerge for the second half, meaning a complete restructuring of the team, with no ready-made replacement on the bench.
Stockport were desperate to get an early second half goal to put the Stags under real pressure and almost got it when Paul Tierney's free-kick was cleared off the line by Buxton as it headed for the top corner.
From then on, Mansfield rolled their sleeves up and showed the kind of character Dearden has been calling for.
At times Stockport were well on top, but the Stags dug in, rode their luck and stayed strong.
Midway through the second half, a brilliant run from Hamshaw - who starred against his former employers - opened up the Stockport defence again and gave Stephen Dawson the chance to settle the game once and for all.
But the Irishman's effort was saved by the advancing Logan to keep County's lingering hopes alive, and the belief they could get a draw was lifted still further when Bell saw red in the 75th minute.
He won the ball with his tackle but went in with two feet and studs showing, which referee Danny McDermid interpreted as dangerous play.
That made the Stags' task even more difficult and it was inevitable Gannon's men would get chances.
On this occasion, though, Stockport did not take them as Anthony Elding and Proudlock fired blanks when they should have hit the target.
There is no doubting it was a much-improved performance by Mansfield against a decent Stockport side who were up there last season. But no one should be getting carried away just yet.
The Stags have still to keep a clean sheet and there is clear room for improvement in their defending.
However, for now, the most important thing is they are up and running. And that first victory has lifted some of the pessimism and pressure.
matt.halfpenney@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk