Jim Gannon made two changes from the side that performed heroically at Charlton on Tuesday night.
Fit again Keith Briggs replaced Michael Bowler at right back with Anthony Pilkington, outstanding at the Valley, coming in for Gary Dicker.
The Stags recalled former County loanee Carl Muggleton in goal to take over from Jason White after a series of indifferent performances.
Matty Hamshaw and Martin McIntosh also started for the home side.
County, wearing their new all white strip, almost too a first-minute lead when Jason Taylor's low drive brought an awkward save from Muggleton who tipped the ball round the post.
It was the home side who took a shock lead two minutes later, though, when Hamshaw crossed from the right. Lee Bullock climbed above Briggs to nod the ball down to John McAliskey who beat Conrad Logan with a crisp left-foot volley.
Five minutes later the Stags doubled their lead. Paul Tierney tripped Hamshaw and McIntosh fired in a brilliant 25-yard free kick.
Taylor had a chance to reduce the arrears on 10 minutes but blazed wide from the edge of the box.
County were all out of sorts at the back and a clever back heel from Michael Boulding released John Mullins who was just off target with a dipping volley.
A third goal was not far away, though. On 25 minutes Hamshaw's corner was knocked back by McAliskey and Jake Buxton scored from close range.
The Stags then won a penalty when the exposed Logan brought down Stephen Dawson. The keeper received a yellow card and then produced a brilliant save from Michael Boulding's spot kick.
Incredibly, Town won another penalty just two minutes later. Taylor upended Mullins and this time Boulding made no mistake.
Adam Proudlock then gave County a lifeline when he burst clear and beat Muggleton at his near post.
On 35 minutes, Gannon made a double substitution. Adam Griffin and Dicker replaced Matty McNeil and Taylor respectively.
Six minutes later the Hatters pulled another goal back. Pilkington raced clear down the right and pulled the ball back to Elding whose near-post flick was converted by Proudlock.
Half time: Mansfield 4 County 2
The Hatters, attacking the Blue & White Army, started the second half positively. They won an early free kick that Paul Tierney smashed past the wall but Buxton made a brilliant headed clearance off the line.
Muggleton then made diving save from Dicker's header.
County had a good shout for a penalty turned down after Elding went down in the box. Griffin retrieved the ball and crossed to Blizzard who shot wide.
The Hatters continued to press and Pilkington rose at the far post to knock Dicker's cross back to Elding. The big striker saw his looping header drop onto the top of the net.
The Stags were reduced to ten men fifteen minutes from time when Lee Bell received a straight red for a challenge on Griffin.
Minutes later Elding shot over from inside the six-yard box after Tierney and Pilkington had set up the guilt-edged opportunity.
Hamshaw then had the home fans off their seats with a trademark 50-yard run that ended with a cute pass to Stephen Dawson. Logan was quickly off the line, though, to make a fine save.
Griffin twice went close as County continued to carve out chances. In between, only Elding will know how he failed to convert Pilkington's flick. Last season's leading scorer covered his head with his shirt.
Elding again, Greg Tansey and Griffin all had further chances but County's Field Mill bogey struck again. County have won just one League game at Mansfield since the early 1960s.
