With only 10 fit apprentice players to select from, U16 striker James Thomas started in attack while the substitutes' bench consisted entirely of U16 schoolboy players.

United conceded after eight minutes when striker Aron Wint lost possession on the half way line and one straight ball through the middle of the Iron back four saw the Mansfield striker round goalkeeper Jake Turner to open the scoring.

Scunthorpe seemed to be taking a second too long in possession or having the extra touch and were unable to get any moves going to threaten the opposition.

Alfred Gbanie shot over after a Jack Cross corner on 14 minutes and Johnathan Williams linked up well on 17 minutes to play Cross in who shot wide.

The Iron went 2-0 down on 29 minutes when Alfred Gbanie lost his man at a throw in and the resulting shot from 30 yards seemed to catch keeper Jake Turner unaware and out of position

Wint, who suffered a knock in the opening minutes, had to be replaced in the 33rd minute by U16 player Ryan Ruddiforth who took his place in attack.

A minute after half time, United conceded at a set play after central defender Richard Dean fouled the Stags striker. As the ball came in to the penalty area Mansfield were allowed a free header to stretch their lead.

On 52 minutes, striker James Thomas was forced off suffering from a knee injury sustained in a tackle early in the game and U16 schoolboy Ashley Jackson took his place.

Joe Maguire shot wide just after and Ruddiforth went through on the keeper but was tackled before he could get his shot away.

The Iron were forced in to a futher substitution on 70 minutes when Andy Williamson, struggling with a groin injury, had to give way with Louis Mobbs from the U16s stepping forward.

The scoring was completed on 78 minutes when United conceded on the counter attack from their own corner. As Mansfield cleared the Iron set-piece to the halfway line, Mobbs unfortunately slipped allowing the Town striker a free run at goal and he rounded keeper Jake Turner to finish the game.

Youth Coach Tony Daws said: "After such an impressive opening five games where we only conceded three goals and were very difficult to score against, we are now in a position where our defending as a team isn't as good as it was or as good as it needs to be.

"We will be working hard to get back to our early season form."