It was a cagey opening to the game as both sides sussed each other out, but slowly Pools began to get on top and create some half chances.

The first of these fell to Sam Collins whose powerful downward header from a right-wing Leon McSweeney corner was held by Stags keeper Alan Marriott.

A busy Antony Sweeney was next to try his luck, bursting typically from midfield to pick up the ball on the edge of the box, but again Marriott was right behind the effort.

Pools were really getting in to their stride and playing some nice football - Denis Behan acting as the focal point and rarely wasting possession when called upon to hold the ball up.

But just as in the previous friendly at York, Pools were punished for not taking their chances when Mansfield took the lead on 24 minutes with the scruffiest of goals.

A deep cross was headed downwards at the far post by defender Luke Graham but palmed away by Scott Flinders. However, when Graham collected possession again on the right side of the six-yard area his delivery across was forced home by Daryl Clare.

Pools had a chance to hit back instantly when Andy Monkhouse's low free-kick from the left side found its way through to Behan but the Irishman lifted his effort over the bar from close range.

However, Pools' injury curse struck again with Sam Collins forced off - though he looked to be struggling with a foot problem rather than the hamstring strain he picked up at York earlier in pre season. Trialist Joe Lamploe replaced the skipper, with Hartley once again moving inside to the centre of defence.

The equaliser arrived seven minutes before the break when Monkhouse's free-kick in to Behan caused all kinds of problems twelve yards out. Keeper Marriott tried to come and punch but Behan's presence put him off and his fluffed clearance fell to Leon McSweeney who rolled in his first Pools goal from the edge of the box.

A quiet opening to the second period burst in to life when Clare's long-range free-kick smashed in to the angle of post and cross bar before being put behind.

From the resultant corner, the Stags had a further chance to re-take the lead when Pools failed to clear their lines but Ryan Williams flashed a wild effort wide from the edge of the box.

James Brown's introduction on the hour proved pivotal for Pools and he soon got busy up front with Larkin. And it was Brown who played a major role in Pools taking the lead on 70 minutes.

Sweeney's beautiful ball in behind with the outside of his right boot put Brown through on goal. He easily won the race with Town's substitute keeper Tim Sandercombe and despite being forced wide to the right side of the penalty area he still managed to roll a shot on target. Desperate defending on the line saw the shot cleared via the post but it only reached Colin Larkin who easily buried the chance in to the roof of the net.

The hosts tried to respond through substitute Jake Speight who twisted and turned in to some space on the edge of the box but then curled his short over the bar.

However, for the most part Pools were in control of the game and looked the side more likely to find the net again, Larkin drawing confidence from his goal and linking well with the energetic Brown.

Even so, Pools were thankful to a brave Hartley block when Williams drilled in a shot, with Rob Duffy firing a wayward shot well wide from the rebound.

Pools saw out the remaining minutes professionally against the Blue Square Conference outfit to record their second consecutive pre season victory as preparations for the new campaign continued.

With seven days to go until the big kick-off Chris Turner will be hoping his side can quickly lose their injury jinx, though another flawless performance at centre-back from Gary Liddle will have boosted the Director of Sport.

Full Time: Mansfield Town 1 Pools 2

Attendance: 1,798 (34 Poolies)

Mansfield Town: Marriott (Sandercombe 58), Gardner (Silk 62), Ventrella (Naylor 74), Jones, Somner (D'Laryea 62), Clare (Speight 58), Williams, Istead (Mills 76), Graham (Turner 74), Nix, Bradley (Duffy 58).
Subs not used: None

Pools: Flinders, Haslam, Collins (Lamploe 35), Liddle, Hartley, McSweeney, Jones, Sweeney, Monkhouse, Behan (Brown 58), Larkin.
Subs not used: Boyd, Rowell, Power, Foley, Cook.