Although Brian Barry-Murphy‘s youngsters were eventually edged out by our League Two opponents, the two sides served up an absolute thriller at the One Call Stadium.
Mansfield forward Lukas Akins headed home the opener from a corner inside 17 minutes after Dire Mebude had seen an earlier effort cleared off the line.
City responded defiantly with a quick double before the break - both thanks to incisive balls over the hosts’ defence from goalkeeper Mikki van Sas.
But the Stags would eventually turn the game on its head - pulling level early in the second half through an acrobatic finish from James Gayle.
And the turnaround was completed late on when George Lapslie slid home at the near post to hand Mansfield the points.
There was still time for one last chance for City though, as Borges’ vicious effort came crashing back off the bar from the edge of the box.
Relive an exciting encounter via the video above...
CITY+ AND RECAST
You can watch exclusive City content on CITY+ and Recast.
Available for just £2.99 per month across all our digital platforms, a CITY+ subscription provides supporters with unrivalled access to new and exclusive City content.
It will allow you to watch full-match replays of all Men’s and Women’s matches, selected broadcasts of Women’s, Elite Development Squad and Academy matches and provides access to the full catalogue of City Studios documentaries.
The official Man City Recast channel offers fans flexible, pay-per-view live fixtures and on demand viewing options including match action from across the years, legend interviews, Best of Series, Man City Esports and City Studios documentaries.