But a draw was just about the right result to a game full of fluctuations. Mansfield started by the far the brighter of the two, with Notts playing without confidence after their recent poor run.
Right in the first moments Richie Barker had an opportunity to give the visitors a sensational start but he missed at short range.
There were opportunities for both sides before Notts edged ahead two minutes before half time.
After a nice bout of short inter-passing the ball fell to Chris Palmer who picked his spot inside Kevin Pressman's left hand post with a lovely curling drive, driven with the right foot.
It was Palmer's first league goal of the season - in fact his first for 14 months. The early stages of the second half were distinguished by two brilliant saves by the respective goalkeepers.
First Kevin Pressman did heroically well to turn a shot from substitute Dan Chillingworth over his bar, and moments later Kevin Pilkington excelled himself with a great save from Laurence Wilson.
Mansfield kept battling away and the introduction of the lively Simon Brown from the substitute's bench was a key factor in their revival around the hour mark.
A mazy run by Brown laid on a chance for Wilson, who unchallenged, was able to pick his spot.
Three minutes later Mansfield delighted their following of over 3,700 by getting in front.
Richie Barker was left unmarked at six yards and headed through with ease for his 20th goal of the season.
Just when their supporters feared defeat was staring Notts in the face, Chillingworth popped up with his first goal for Notts since his loan signing from Rushden & Diamonds.
The chance seemed to run away from Michael Edwards but Chillingworth was there to force the ball over the line.
Then came the drama in added time.
Midfielder Giles Coke drove forward with the Notts defence pulled apart, and having drawn out Pikington, it seemed a formality for him to score. But the shot bounced back off the post and Notts' blushes were spared.