Two fine finishes by talisman striker Richie Barker and Michael Boulding, at the start of his second spell with the club, shocked Martin Allen's pacy side after they had dominated the opening 20 minutes.
But the game ended in bemusement for fans when Mansfield man of the match Stephen Dawson was booked for a second time in the 89th minute but not red carded by referee Kevin Wright, despite his earlier 43rd minute booking, in an echo of Graham Poll's World Cup embarrassment.
Mansfield quickly subbed the midfielder and hung on for victory in a pulsating finish.
The Dons, minus keeper Baines after his red card on the opening day of the season, gave a first start to his replacement Bankole, while Wilbraham came in for Smith in central midfield.
And Bankole made an awful start, fumbling a simple pick up and gifting the Stags a second corner inside the first minute.
However, the young keeper redeemed himself from the flag kick, holding on to Barker's fierce corner at the far post. Then Bankole raced out of his area to clear from the onrushing Brown as the home side looked to strike on the breakaway.
Sandwiched in between the home chances, the Dons almost snatched the lead when Hamshaw's back pass fell short, but keeper Muggleton saved bravely at the feet of Platt.
However, Muggleton was left rooted as the Dons grabbed a 10th minute breakthrough. Lewington's long ball forward was cleverly knocked down bv Platt and Wilbraham lifted a high finish from 12 yards into the roof of the net.
The Stags almost found a spectacular equaliser when Brown's first-time volley on the turn from Dawson's left wing cross just cleared the bar.
But they made no mistake on the half hour, Dawson laying off Hamshaw's pass from the edge of the area into the path of Barker who thumped a low 16 yard drive into the bottom corner.
In the 39th minute their first half fight back was complete. Bankole's poor goal kick, after a protracted misunderstanding with a linesman, fell to Barker, who fed Brown down the right to cross first time for Boulding to smash in from close range – his first competitive goal since returning to the club.
An unseasonal torrential downpour and gusty wind made life difficult for both sets of players at the start of the second half.
Boulding failed to pick out the unmarked Brown as the Stags went in search of a match winning third goal, his shot easily held by the keeper.
And McLeod almost made the Stags pay when his late close range shot was deflected for a corner by Mullins' last gasp block.