Mansfield Town were left just four points outside the relegation places after another defeat at bogey team Burton, whom they have never beaten.

Manager Adam Murray started with all five new signings, but the Stags trailed 2-0 after a poor first-half display.

Debutant keeper Adam Smith had no chance when Palmer’s eighth minute free kick was deflected in and poor marking allowed Maynard to head a second midway through the half.

Mansfield, backed by a large travelling crowd, got back into the match six minutes into the second period when Reggie Lambe atoned for a first-half miss.

The visitors went on to dominate the half, but couldn’t find an equaliser to help what has become a fight against relegation to non-league football.