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The tired Stags, second best for most of the match and playing their fourth game in ten days, came close to a winner on four occasions in a thrilling finish.
In the 84th minute a brave block by Christian Edwards denied Colin Larkin and a minute later Tom Curtis' close-range thunderbolt was beaten away by Kevin Miller's reflex save.
Just 60 seconds later Jake Buxton headed Wayne Corden's free-kick against the bar and then two minutes into injury time substitute Andy White hooked the ball into an empty net, only for the ref to rule out his "winner" for a foul on Miller.
Aferwards Mansfield's assistant manager John Gannon said: "We are still hopeful of getting third place. We still believe and we will keep going for what are now four cup finals."Revitalised Bristol Rovers had almost snatched the lead in the second minute as they bounced back in style from their first defeat just two days earlier under the new management duo of Russell Osman and Kevan Broadhurst.
Lee Williamson stretched to block Ijah Anderson's goalbound shot for a corner and from the flag kick Lee Thorpe headed over.
Three minutes later the unmarked Anderson blasted over from 15 yards as in-form Rovers, beaten just once in five games, dominated the opening minutes.
Mansfield keeper Kevin Pilkington dived low to hold Junior Agogo's low shot on the turn in the 17th minute before the home side finally created their first goalscoring chance three minutes later.
After a neat spell of passing, Craig Disley released Junior Mendes inside the area, but the striker's low thunderbolt was blocked by the keeper's legs.
Rovers continued to dominate and on the half-hour another fine run and shot by Junior Agogo forced Plikington into a sprawling save at the foot of the post.
Former Mansfield favorite Adam Barrett saw his near post header deflected wide as the visitors maintained their momentum and deep into first-half injury time Rovers were raging as the referee blew for half time as Agogo was tripped inside the area by Curtis.
Rovers again went close in the 64th minute - Williamson eventually scrambling Agogo's cross off the line.