A superb display by on-loan Spurs’ keeper Lee Butcher saw Grays collect a home point against high-flying Stags, who stand second in the table.

Apart from a spell late in the first-half, the hosts were under pressure but Butcher pulled off two world-class saves to ensure a share of the spoils.

Manager Gary Phillips was delighted with his side’s resolute backs-to-the-wall performance — and his young stopper in particular.

“We’re still playing catch-up and in the last 20 minutes had to dig in and get the flack jackets on!” he said.

“But we defended resolutely and the keeper made two magnificent saves.

“That’s the third game on the trot we’ve gone behind and it would be nice to go in front for once.

“They are a good bunch of kids here, honest, and having a real go. If we show today’s heart and passion and get match fitness to the level we want then they will be fine.”

Jake Speight’s 12th-minute far post header had given Mansfield the lead, but Jamie Slabber capitalised on a lack of concentration in the visiting defence to level on 36 minutes.

Grays, who saw chief executive Mick Woodward stand down in midweek, used another three new players here to make the total of players fielded 25 in just seven games.

Grays could have taken the lead at the start of the second-half when ex-Football League man Glenn Poole, who had been thwarted by Stags’ keeper Alan Marriott in the first-half, saw the stopper dive to tip away his 50th-minute effort.

But it was one-way traffic from thereon in. Kyle Perry headed against the bar, Kenny Davis cleared a Luke Jones header off the line and Jones missed the target with a close range free header.

Butcher then made a stunning save to keep out Speight’s close range header and thwarted the same player again before ensuring a point for Grays with a sensational stop from Scott Garner late on. Grays now visit Salisbury City on Tuesday 8 September.