There is always something special about the start of a new season. Fans optimism, combined with a host of new signings make for great excitement on and off the pitch.

Chris Turner had a strong squad to choose from with only Danny Griffin and Mark Robertson missing, that meant that he was able to include all of his summer signings in  a new look squad. Matt Duke and Michael Malcolm who only signed yesterday were on the bench.

Carlton Palmer included himself in the Mansfield line up, alongside former County player Fraser McLachlan. There was also a start for summer signings Kevin Pressman, Matthew Tipton and Adam Birchill.

This was a high tempo game from the outset with both teams wanting to impress. Indeed with so many new players in both camps the bookies couldn't split them.

County and Mansfield created good chances in the opening few minutes but it wasn't until the 12th minute that a real noteable chance came along. Some good build up play allowed Singh to cross to Tes Bramble, who could only head wide.

Bramble had an opportunity moments later to put the Hatters in front when he won the ball and ran at the Mansfield defence, he could see Jermaine Easter in plenty of space but decided to shoot straight at Pressman.

Robert Clare was next to create a good chance when he shot just wide from a County throw-in.

It was Mansfield who got the breakthrough though; when Adam Birchill shot from outside the 18 yard box underneath a sea of County bodies, Spencer should have done better.

County were nearly back on level terms when Keith Briggs was set free in the Mansfield area but his shot was well saved by the former Sheffield Wednesday man.

Mansfield extended their lead on the half hour mark when Birchill scored a similiar goal to his first. His powerful shot from the edge of the area, following some good play by Mansfield tricked the County defence and the usually bouyant crowd were put into stunned silence.

Harpal Singh was busy down the left wing all afternoon and everytime he ran at the Mansfield he sent the away team into a panic, unfortunately for County his dangerous crosses never came to fruition.

County finally got back into the game when Jermaine Easter was able to shoot through a sea of players following good work from fellow debutant Danny Boshell.

A deep cross by Mark Robinson found Tes Bramble in the area, but the former Southend man was unable to bring County on level terms as the ball bounced awkwardly allowing Pressman to gather with ease.

County were back on level terms seconds after introducing Matt Hamshaw, The talented winger delivered a brilliant free-kick into the box and Jermaine Easter pounced to grab his and County's second of the afternoon.

The Edgeley Park faithful were nearly put into stunned silence minutes later however when Matthew Tipton shot just over the County crossbar.

County nearly took the lead when Matt Hamshaw produced a beautiful pass to find Keith Briggs in plenty of space. Briggs cross found Bramblke at the far post but he could not get a touch on the ball and it floated just wide.

Tes Bramble again came close to giving County the lead but again shot high and wide over the County bar, having been set up by Man of the Match Jermaine Easter who delivered a good cross into the box.

Easter himself, missed a good opportunity merely seconds later when he headed well wide from a good Hamshaw cross.

In the end though the spoils were shared in this exciting season opener.

County: Spencer, Clare, Robinson, Briggs (Malcolm, 83), Raynes (Greenwood,77), Williams, Wolski, Bramble, Singh (Hamshaw,60), Boshell, Easter

Subs: Duke, Le Fondre

 Mansfield: Pressman, Peers, Jelleyman, Palmer (Coke, 56), Day, Dawson, Barker, Tipton, Birchall, McLachlan, Hjelde

Subs: Uhlenbeek, Buxton, Rundle, Brown