Former County man, Matthew Hamshaw scored a late goal to deny County all three points.

Jim Gannon handed Adam Griffin his second County debut just 24 hours after completing his move from Oldham Athletic.

And the County boss gave Tes Bramble his first start of the season after recovering from the calf strain that sidelined him from the opening two games.

Michael Malcolm and Liam Dickinson were the two players to make way.

Gannon also made a tactical change with the Hatters lining-up in a 3-4-3 formation.

Ashley Williams, Gareth Owen and Mark Robinson were picked to play behind a midfield quartet of Keith Briggs, Jason Taylor, Tony Dinning and Michael Rose.

Bramble, Griffin and Glenn Murray were given the nod in attack.

The first chance of the game came within the first 60 seconds when Griffin made a great run and found Murray free in the box, but the on loan striker shot high and wide.

A wonderful Tony Dinning free kick seconds later nearly broke the deadlock, but to the dismay of the skipper nobody could get on the end of a gilt-edged opportunity.

At the other end, a Michael Boulding free kick shook the County defence, but Tony Dinning stood firm and cleared the danger.

Dinning was nearly the villain though moments later when Matt Hamshaw put a cross into the box and the skipper very nearly headed past his own keeper.

Goal ! Keith Briggs put County ahead on the 25th minute when he headed home from 6 yards out following a header across the box from Glenn Murray.

Michael Rose was allowed to play an advantage following a handball from Dawson. His cross found Glenn murray, but the Carlisle man couldn't  make the most of a wonderful opportunity.

Mansfield nearly got an equaliser on the off chance when Matt Hamshaw put a good cross into the box to find Brown. Spencer who was off his line was saved by Ashley Williams who cleared the ball for a corner.

James Spencer kept County ahead when he made a wonderful save to deny former City man D'Laryea after he did well.

Mansfield created some good build up play in the tenth minute to force County back, however some good play was spoilt by Dawson who wasted a good opportunity.

At the other end Tes Bramble wasted a good opportunity when he found himself one on one with the keeper, in reality though he should have used Glenn Murray who was out wide but he decided to go alone and in the end the danger was cleared.

Man of the match Ashley Williams made a good interception to deny Simon Brown on the 63rd minute when the former Baggies winger put in a shot from inside the area.

There were appeals for a penalty when Glenn Murray was downed the area, but the referee turned away the protests.

At the other end the impressive Matt Hamshaw put in a good cross into the box that caused a lot of problems for the County defence.

On the 70th minute Matt Hamshaw launched a speculative effort that was heading for the top corner, luckily for County though it went just wide.

County had Spencer to thank of the 73rd minute when Johnny Mullins got a good header in on goal but the coll and collected County keeper kept the scoreline down.

Late on County had another good opportunity when Michael Rose passed to Dinning who found Griffin in space and the former Oldham mans shot went just wide.

Seconds later Ashley Williams had a wonderful opportunity to double the lead but unfortunately for The Hatters his chance was too weak.

James Spencer made a wonderful save at the other end in the final 5 minutes, having initially came too far off his line to allow Mansfield a gilt edged opportunity.

Goal! In the last 5 minutes Matt Hamshaw scored an equaliser that had been coming all afternoon when he produced a brilliant one-two with Simon Brown to slot home from a few yards out.

Spencer was called upon to deny Dawson in the dying moments when he pulled off a wonderful save to deny the former Leicester man.

The Stags, who were causing some problems as the game entered the climax, nearly produced a wonderful goal when Baptiste was allowed to make a good run from the centre of the park.

In the end though it was a well-earned point from County who often looked well organised and passionate for the cause. If we carry on in this spirit we should be okay this season.

Role on Accrington!

County: Spencer, Williams, Robinson, Owen, Rose, Dinning, Taylor, Briggs (Raynes 45) Bramble (Clare 74), Murray (Dickinson 66), Griffin

Subs: Le Fondre, Deasy

Goals: Briggs 25

Mansfield: Muggleton, Mullins, Jelleyman, Hjelde (Buxton 21), Baptiste, Hamshaw, D'Laryea, Dawson, Boulding (Birchall 56), Barker, Brown

Subs: Beardsley, White, Lloyd

Goals: Hamshaw 85

Booked: Dawson 38, Baptiste 45, Buxton 73

Man of the Match: Ashley Williams. Solid all afternoon, redeemed himself after a below par performance midweek.

Ref: P Melin

Att: 3,856