A kamikaze first-half performance from Harriers was enough to ensure the side continued their poor start to the season at Mansfield Town.

Harriers made a bright start at Field Mill, aiming to pick up a first victory of the season after defeat to Cambridge United in midweek.

The visitors were making all the inroads forward and with just six minutes on the clock, Justin Richards fired the first shot towards the home goal which Paddy Gamble was able to gather.

Just as they were continuing to build momentum, things started to go horribly wrong. First, experienced Stags front-man Mark STALLARD went down easily in the box under a rash challenge from Michael Bowler, before dusting himself off and dispatching the 20th minute spot-kick.

Stallard went close with another chance before the half-hour mark whilst Darryl Knights had a chance for the away side; but it was 2-0 on 32 minutes with Michael BLACKWOOD haunting Harriers with a neat goal.

The ex-Aggborough man was the most alert inside the box - reacting quickest to Matt Somner's hopeful ball to tuck a smart finish past Adam Bartlett.

Harriers had started to steady the ship and edge themselves back into things slightly before the break, but a moment of madness from Bartlett saw the Stags' lead increased further in first-half stoppage time. Somner's wasted ball fired towards goal looked to be drifting harmlessly wide before it took a wicked deflection, wrong-footing a panicking Bartlett who in an attempt to tip the ball over the bar, knocked it the opposite way - straight into the path of the waiting STALLARD who gleefully grabbed his second of the day.

To their credit, though no doubt loaded with an absolute rocket from boss Mark Yates, Harriers began the second half in dominant style. When heads seemed more likely to drop, Harriers were at it from the off and within a couple of minutes, Russell Penn had hit the post and Andy Ferrell had fired a long-range effort just over.

Former Harrier Alex Jeannin put his goalkeeper under extra pressure with a header over his own bar, whilst as the half wore on, Simon Russell fired a curling effort just wide of the frame.

On 69, Harriers deservedly pulled a goal back - the tireless Justin Richards headed the ball down superbly into the box, to the feet of Matthew BARNES-HOMER who held off his man, drew the goalkeeper and finished with aplomb.

A little over ten minutes later the visitors gave Town a further scare - sub Martin Brittain's corner was shipped out to RICHARDS who, from 18 yards, fired a powerful volley that left Gamble helpless between the sticks.

Naturally it was then all hands to the pump as Harriers looked to cap what was a fine second-half showing with what would have been a deserved equaliser. Mansfield just about recovered their composure and managed to nick a fourth against the run of play in the 93rd minute to seal their second victory inside five days.

Nathan Arnold fed the ball to Somner, who in turn played in Aaron O'CONNOR with the defence scrambling - the ex-Grays Athletic front man fired accross Bartlett, with the ball clipping the inside of the post and nestling into the back of the net.