Despite goals from Charlie Bell, Lirak Hasani and Will McGowan, Rovers' U18s were defeated 6-3 by Mansfield in the second group match of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.
Paul Stancliffe made three changes which saw Liam Ravenhill, Luca Nelson and Lewis Cunningham replaced by Bell, Josh Clemitson and Max Jemson.
Two Mansfield centre-halves collided during a Rovers attack which invited Elliott Walker through into space to put a problematic ball into a dangerous area. Junior Smith dashed on goal to connect but the ball bobbled just over his head.
Rovers took the lead after six minutes with a cool as you like finish coming from Bell, who was just outside the 18-yard box.
Mansfield equalised moments later when Jimmy Knowles headed home from Isaac Fisher's free-kick.
The Stags took the lead before the break when Nathan Caine turned the ball past Ben Bottomley.
Rovers won a penalty after 51 minutes when McGowan was fouled in the box. Composed, Hasani hit the ball to the right of goal, sending Leon Philips in the opposite direction.
The Stags responded instantly, with Kyle Tomlin cannoning the ball past Bottomley from distance.
In the final five minutes of the game the sides scored a total of four goals between them. Starting with Knowles reaching his brace after turning home another free-kick.
Substitute Ryan Ingram made profit from another set-piece for Mansfield as he tapped the ball past Bottomley.
Ingram then took advantage of a deflated opposition by scoring The Stags' sixth.
McGowan grabbed Rovers a consolation after a quick attack from Rovers at the restart.
Mansfield return to Cantley Park this Saturday to take on Rovers in the EFL Youth Alliance League.
