City trailed, fought back to lead at the break before Nigel Clough’s men hit back with two second-half strikes to win the game 3-2.
The Blues have Derby County and Grimsby Town still to face in the group stage of the competition, and on this display, will be still hopeful of progressing.
What happened?
On a pleasant sunny evening in north east Derbyshire, City’s Papa Johns trophy quest began against League Two side Mansfield Town.
And the chances for both teams came thick and fast in an entertaining, open Papa Johns Trophy clash at the One Call Stadium.
Adedire Mebude and Juan Larios should both have put the young Blues ahead with excellent opportunities and on 11 minutes, Will Dickson saw his close range finish ruled out for offside.
In-between, the Stags had their own chances with Jordan Bowery, Stephen McLaughlin and James Gale all going close before the deadlock was finally broken when Luke Akins nodded home on 16 minutes.
City continued the cultured passing game and were behind for just 13 minutes – with the first of a brace of quickfire goals levelling the scores.
Carlos Borges raced clear to round keeper Scott Flinders and coolly stroke the ball into the empty net to make it 1-1.
Then, three minutes later, Mebude collected on the right before sending a precise low ball across for Will Dickson to side-foot home from a couple of yards out – a lead that Brian Barry-Murphy’s side held to half-time.
Mansfield began the second-half brightly and took just five minutes to level the scores through James Gale as this thrilling encounter swung one way then the other.
There were half-chances for both sides in the time that remained, but the best of them fell to Mansfield - with Kieran Wallace guilty of gift-wrapped opportunity from eight yards that almost cleared the stand behind Mikki van Sas’ goal.
But the Stags had the final say on the night to end the Blues’ unbeaten start as George Lapslie grabbed what proved to be the winner on 84 minutes.
City had almost levelled in added time as Borges was denied by the keeper as he was sent clear - and 60 seconds later the same player saw his 20-yard effort strike the underside of the bar.
What it means...
It’s early days in the Papa Johns Trophy group stage, with games against Derby County and Grimsby Town still to come for the EDS.
Team notes
CITY: Van Sas, Larios, Burns, Katongo, Taylor (Galvez 60), Charles ,Mebude, Breckin, Dickson (Oboavwoduo 60), Bobb (O’Reilly 46), Borges
Attendance: 1,804
UP NEXT
The EDS return to PL2 action on Saturday, 3 September with an away game at West Ham United.
Kick-off is 2pm.
Next Fixture
All fixturesEFL Trophy
BST
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.
News about Mansfield v Man City
Mansfield Town 3-2 City EDS: Highlights
The best of an absorbing encounter at the One Call Stadium... Watch more
Mansfield 3-2 City EDS: Extended Highlights
Enjoy extended highlights from our Papa Johns Trophy opener against Mansfield Town. Watch more
Barry-Murphy looking for positive reaction after Mansfield loss
EDS head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says his players will benefit hugely from the 3-2 Papa Johns Trophy loss to Mansfield Town. Read more
Borges says EDS will learn from loss
Carlos Borges says City EDS will bounce back quickly after the 3-2 loss to Mansfield Town in the Papa Johns Trophy ended an unbeaten start to the campaign. Read more
