Visiting goalkeeper Scott Shearer handled outside the box inside the opening five minutes but only saw yellow, before Matty Dolan had a free-kick saved well. 

After the break Ben Whiteman drew a good save from Artur Krysiak, but neither side could muster a late rally with the game ending goalless. 

Darren Way made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Notts County at the weekend. 

Having experimented with 3-5-2 four days ago, Town stuck with two upfront in a 4-1-3-2 formation, with Ben Whitfield replacing Matt Butcher to line-up in midfield.

Having arrived in January on loan from Tottenham, Shayon Harrison earned his first league start for Town, taking the place of fellow loanee Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro to partner Francois Zoko upfront. 

Having vowed to provide entertainment for the home supporters the Glovers began brightly and could’ve taken the lead just five minutes in. 

Having raced onto a poor defensive clearance Kevin Dawson attempted to lob the advanced ‘keeper Shearer, who conspired to block the ball with his hands some 10 yards outside the box. 

With players and fans alike baying for a red card from referee Christopher Sarginson, the Stags number one only received a yellow despite denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. 

Not to be deterred by the controversial decision Dolan almost converted the resultant free-kick, with Shearer parrying away the dipping effort low to his right. 

The Glovers dominance continued in the opening 20 minutes as Harrison almost latched onto a Whitfield cross but for Mal Benning’s intervention at the near-post. 

Perhaps rocked by the early controversy involving their goalkeeper the Nottinghamshire outfit were slow to demonstrate their form which had seen seven victories in 10 games.

In fact, it took 32 minutes for the visitors to produce a meaningful attempt on goal, when Ben Whiteman’s volley from just inside the box flew over the bar.

The wideman was proving to be the Stags best attacking outlet in the first half, stabbing an effort on the stretch into the arms of Artur Krysiak five minutes later from the angle.

In their new formation, Yeovil demonstrated plenty of attacking intent in the opening 45 minutes, albeit without testing Shearer further.

Steve Evans’ side ended the half on the attack but boos rang around Huish Park at the break as a result of the early incident involving the visiting goalkeeper. 

Keen to render the referee’s controversial decision void, Town began the second period on the front foot as the lively Whitfield flashed a shot just over after cutting in from the right. 

But, already the pantomime villain, Mr Sarginson did little to enhance his reputation amongst the Yeovil fans when he only brandished a yellow to Shaq Coulthirst for a late challenge on Krysiak, before Mansfield had their best chance of the game. 

Coulthirst was involved to cut-back to Whiteman who had his low drive saved by the legs of Krysiak, before Bevis Mugabi produced a stunning block to deny the same man on the rebound. 

As the game ticked past the hour-mark Tom Eaves was introduced in place of Harrison, as Town looked to address Mansfield’s increasing influence on proceedings. 

The switch almost worked 10 minutes later when Whtifield’s cross arched in towards the striker, but Eaves’ acrobatic effort with his back to goal from 12 yards lacked the necessary direction. 

With the Stags spell of pressure ended Way’s side looked to create a spell of their own as the game entered the final 10 minutes, ramping up the intensity. 

Despite urgency from the home side they couldn’t threaten the visiting goal and had to settled for a third successive home draw, in a game which will be remembered for early controversy involving visiting goalkeeper Shearer.

Yeovil Town: Krysiak; Shephard, Lacey, Mugabi, Dickson; Dawson, Lawless, Dolan; Whitfield (Goodship 81’), Zoko, Harrison (Eaves 61’).

Bookings: Lacey 57’, Zoko 74’

Subs not used: Maddison, James, Butcher, Akpa Akpro, Sowunmi.

Mansfield Town: Shearer; White (McGuire 54’), Pearce, Bennett, Benning; Whiteman, Byrom, Collins, Hamilton; MacDonald (Hoban 65’), Coulthirst (Potter 79’).

Bookings: Shearer 5’, White 44’, Coulthirst 52’

Subs not used: Jensen, Baxendale, Arquin, Hemmings.