A bumper crowd of 881 saw both sides field a whole host of new signings and triallists in a competitive match.

But a solitary goal six minutes into the second half by Michael Blackwood, who weaved his way through to poke a shot into the corner from eight yards, was enough to win it for The Stags, who were cheered on by more than 300 of their fans.

Hucknall were playing their first game since winning a reprieve from relegation from the Blue Square North.

While Mansfield, who have lost almost all their players since dropping from Coca-Cola League Two to the Blue Square Premier, were in action for the first time since the appointment of new manager Billy McEwan.

There was little between the two sides and the conesenus of opinion from both camps was that Hucknall probably deserved a draw.

The Yellows fielded four new recruits in goalkeeper and man-of-the-match James Lindley, midfielders Laurie Wilson and Paul Mitchell and defender and skipper for the day, Nathan Winder.

Also on show were no fewer than eight triallists – defenders Matt Ottley, Luke Smith and Marc Stevenson, midfielders Mark Smith, Danny Sleath (playing against his former club) and Martyn Burke and strikers David Kettle and Kelvin Mushambie.

The Mansfield line-up was unrecognisable from the side that endured such a disastrous campaign last term.

Goalkeeper Jason White and midfielders Nathan Arnold and Jonathan D'Laryea were the only well-known faces remaining.

The best-known of their new boys on parade were ex-Notts County strikers strikers Mark Stallard and Jason Lee.

LINE-UP – HUCKNALL (4-3-1-2): Lindley/ Ottley Winder Sucharewycz Smith L./ Mitchell Wilson L. Sleath/ Bacon/ Knox Ricketts. Subs: Smith M. (for Bacon 59), Kettle (for Mitchell 64), Mushambie (for Knox 71), Ward (for Ricketts 71), Burke (for Sleath 76).
MANSFIELD: White/ Silk Moses O'Hara Hurst Arnold D'Laryea Hurren Blackwood Duffy Stallard. Subs: Somner (for Hurren 44), Gamble (for White 45), McGregor (for Silk 45), Wood (for Hurst 45), Shaw (for D'Laryea 45), :ee (for Stallard 45), McGhee (for Duffy 61), Goward (for Blackwood 61), Trimmer (for Arnold 69).