A thrilling League Two tie between top versus bottom saw Mansfield lose to MK Dons, amid some highly debateable refereeing decisions.

PA Report

Two late goals - including a controversial equaliser - spared the Dons' blushes after the unlucky Stags had threatened to turn the form book upside down.

Mansfield, booed off the pitch after slumping to the foot of the table at the weekend following a home defeat to Dagenham, rocked the Dons with an attacking 4-3-3 formation.

And they looked on the way to only their second win of the season when Michael Boulding headed in on the half hour - the first goal conceded by the top of the table side in four matches.

Simon Brown had taken advantage of Sean O'Hanlon's slip and raced clear. His shot was clawed out by the diving Willy Gueret, but Stephen Dawson chipped the ball back into the area and Boulding headed in off the post.

But after the home side lost 'keeper Carl Muggleton, injured making a brave save at the feet of Leon Knight on the hour, the Dons powered back for their fifth successive victory.

In the 72nd minute Lloyd Dyer burst through, rounded substitute 'keeper Jason White and just forced the ball over the line.

The goal was eventually awarded by the linesman after long home protests, which saw two players booked, that the ball had not crossed he line.

And eight minutes from time Jude Stirling completed the fightback with a fine finish on the breakaway.

Four minutes later brave Gueret denied Boulding an equaliser, racing to the edge of his area to save at the feet of the striker. Then in injury time Hamshaw blasted into the side netting as the Stags searched in vain for a deserved equaliser.

The Stags, still bottom of the Football League, were cheered off the pitch as home vans vented their anger at referee Darren Drysdale

STAGS: Muggleton (White 64), Mullins, Bell, Hamshaw, Dawson, Brown (Arnold 76), M. Boulding, Buxton, John-Baptiste, Martin, McAllister (McAliskey 87). Subs not used: Kitchen, Holmes.
MK DONS: Gueret, Stirling, Lewington, Andrews, Diallo, O'Hanlon, Knight (Johnson 65), Dyer (Edds 90), Wilbraham (Broughton 87), Howell, Swailes. Subs not used: Smart, Abbey.
REFEREE: Darren Drysdale of Lincolnshire.
ATT:: 1,984
GOALS: Stags - Boulding 30. Dons - Dyer 72, Stirling 82.
CAUTIONS:

Stags - Buxton 42 (foul on Wilbraham); John-Baptise 72 (dissent), White 72 (dissent).

MK Dons - Stirling 34 (foul on Brown); Knight 50 (foul on Buxton); Andrews 80 (foul on Arnold); Swailes 85 (foul on Boulding).

MAN OF THE MATCH: Stephen Dawson