WREXHAM progressed to the next round of the FA Trophy with two early goals from Jon Brown and Ashley Westwood, although they made hard work of closing the game out and allowed Mansfield back into the second half.
Wrexham had enough chances to be comfortable winners with Dean Saunders making five changes for Wrexham's first ever FA Trophy match.
Gavin Ward returned in goal, and the established centre back pairing of Westwood and Mike Williams also started. Andy Fleming back from injury and Patrick Suffo replacing the suspended Jefferson Louis completed the changes to the side that battled so hard with nine men against Southport on Tuesday night.
On a cold, damp day in North Wales, Mansfield kicked off attacking the Kop end of The Racecourse, but it was Wrexham who made the perfect start when with only three minutes on the clock.
Marc Williams picked up the ball on the by line from a throw in and showed some excellent skill and close control to cut the ball back to Jon Brown, who slid the ball home from close range with his right foot.
Wrexham continued to press and Andy Fleming had a long range effort blocked. Mansfield caused Gavin Ward a moment of concern in a rare early excursion but the Reds keeper was brave at the feet of Gary Silk.
Two excellent crosses, firstly by Brown cleared by Hurren and then by Woolfe headed goalwards by Marc Williams and well saved by Annerson were evidence of the pressure Mansfield were under.
With 11 minutes gone Ashley Westwood headed home Wrexham's second from close range, he was the quickest to a Woolfe corner and powered home from close range with Annerson well beaten.
The second goal took some sting out of the game and it went through a quiet spell as both sides regrouped. Mansfield with their acting management duo of Stallard and Moses desperately tried to get a foothold in the game and on 20 minutes there was a warning for Wrexham, when a dangerous cross from left back Kay just eluded the diving Emile Sinclair.
Wrexham were still on top however and on 22 minutes some excellent work by Marc Williams, who turned his man and played a great ball in for Andy Fleming; the youngster had made a strong run into the area but was denied by a covering tackle, which led to a couple of corners as Wrexham kept up the pressure.
Mansfield did have more possession as the half progressed but showed little in the way of attacking ideas and the Reds defence, with Westwood and Mike Williams in commanding form, was able to deal quite easily with anything the Stags had to offer.
Gavin Ward had to be on his mettle with 38 minutes gone to make a diving save from a Kay cross whilst a couple of minutes later at the other end Mansfield keeper Annerson was scrambling to reach a fierce Jon Brown drive which just went passed the post.
Patrick Suffo was denied a goal with three minutes of the half left by a superb covering tackle by Alan O'Hare, the striker had been set up by a good run and cross by the lively Jon Brown.
Jonathan D'Laryea did warm Ward's hands on 44 minutes with a header from 12 yards but in truth it was an easy save for the Wrexham keeper as the home side held on to a comfortable half time lead.
Second Half
No changes in personnel at the interval as Wrexham got the game under way attacking the empty Kop and they almost repeated the start of the first half when Marc Williams fired wide after 47 minutes.
With the next goal likely to be critical both sides made a cagey opening although D'Laryea did worry Gavin Ward with a long range effort just passed the post. New signing Steve Abbott came on for his debut replacing Patrick Suffo on 51 minutes.
Mansfield were looking stronger after the break and Neil Taylor did superbly to head clear a dangerous Arnold cross before on 55 minutes Mike Williams met a Jon Brown free kick with his left foot and forced a fine diving save from Annerson.
Nathan Woolfe played a superb ball to Brown on the hour mark but unfortunately it ran through to Annerson. It was Woolfe's last contribution as he was replaced by Sam Aiston.
The game was quite scrappy as the half progressed with Wrexham looking comfortable although Jeannin did put an effort high and wide. Mansfield then put ex Red Michael Blackwood on for Jeannin in an attempt to add more attacking impetus.
It had the desired effect as with Neil Taylor off the pitch receiving treatment Wrexham were caught sleeping at the back by a good run by Sinclair who set up Aaron O'Connor to score from close range on 68 minutes
The goal lifted the visitors and Westwood made a brilliant saving tackle as D'Laryea ran into the area.
Gavin Ward kept Wrexham's lead intact on 74 minutes with a brilliant one handed save from Aaron O'Connor as Westwood appealed for offside. Wrexham bounced back and Marc Williams hit the post with a shot from 20 yards with Annerson scrambling to reach it.
With both sides looking to get the killer goal Steve Abbott was agonisingly close to reaching a Brown cross before the debutant's cushioned header set up Marc Williams for an effort.
Ashley Westwood was called over to the referee and shown the yellow card, presumably for dissent before a flowing move from Wrexham saw Marc Williams play a great ball out to Aiston, the wingers cross was cleared from the brave Andy Fleming to Fairhurst who fired well wide.
Mansfield should have equalised with nine minutes left, when a great run by Sinclair set up O'Connor on the near post, but this time the striker put his effort over the bar under pressure from the Wrexham defence.
Dean Saunders brought on Christian Smith for Fairhurst as Mansfield were trying desperately to get level. Jon Brown almost put Wrexham out of sight when his fierce cross shot hit the bar.
Bizarrely the fourth official showed 2 added minutes and then changed it to four as he realised his error. There was no serious action to report though and Wrexham held on to progress to the second round and keep alive their Wembley dream.
Wrexham (4-4-2): Gavin Ward, Neil Taylor, Ashley Westwood, Mike Williams, Sam Williamson , Jon Brown, Andy Fleming, Nathan Fairhurst (Christian Smith 83), Nathan Woolfe (Sam Aiston 60), Marc Williams, Patrick Suffo (Steve Abbott 51).
Subs: Tom Kearney, Angelos Tsiaklis.
Mansfield Town (4-4-2): Jamie Annerson, Gary Silk, Gavin Hurren, Alan O'Hare, James Kay, Nathan Arnold, Jonathan D'Laryea (Lewis Trimmer 88), Matt Somner (Adnan Ahmed 58), Alex Jeannin (Michael Blackwood 65), Emile Sinclair, Aaron O'Connor .
Subs: Paddy Gamble, Ashley Kitchen.
Referee: Andrew Halliday (Yorks)
Attendance: 1,559
Away: 61
Bookings -
Wrexham: Ashley Westwood (dissent)
Mansfield Town: Gary Silk (foul)
