Kaid Mohamed’s first-half header continued Mansfield Town’s opening day away hoodoo stretching back to 1990.

Mohamed was left completely unmarked to head in at the far post from a Darren Carter after Sascha Studer, the Stags new keeper from Switzerland, appeared to be pushed to the ground just before the flag kick was taken.

The Stags, backed by a sell-out travelling support of 900, started well but then faded badly after the 26th minute goal.

They only threatened in five minutes of injury time at the end of both halves.

In thefirst half stoppage time Rob Taylor fired narrowly wide seconds after Ryan Tafozolli’s powerful header was well saved.

Then at the end of the match substitutes Liam Hearn and Sam Clucas almost snatched an unlikely point as visitors finally exerted pressure on the home keeper.

However, by then the result should not have been in doubt. Studer and Tafazolli both made great stops as the Cobblers squandered clear-cut chances to seal the points.