The mid-table Stags twice fought back from being a goal down to claim a point, while the Pilgrims are still left toiling at the wrong end of the table.
There was plenty of light in the opening exchanges with Julian Joachim flashing a header inches over from a Brad Maylett cross for Boston. Mansfield quickly replied with Chris Beardsley pulling the ball back for Alex Baptiste to drill a fraction wide from 18 yards.
It was no surprise when a goal arrived on nine minutes. Danny Thomas controlling well and firing beyond keeper Kevin Pressman after Jason Lee had flicked on a free-kick by Nathan Abbey.
Mansfield equalised in the 25th minute when Richie Barker fired in from the penalty shot after Lee had felled Rhys Day when contesting a free-kick which was floated in by Giles Coke.
Boston regained the lead on 34 minutes when Alan White rose highest to send a looping header over Pressman from a Maylett free-kick.
Immediately after the half-time interval both sides had scoring chances. First for Boston, Lee saw a close range header superbly saved by Pressman and, in reply, Coke sent a header wide of the home goal.
Mansfield then enjoyed some decent phases of possession but were not able to prise a way through the home defence while, at the other end, only a fierce off target 25-yarder by Lee threatened the visitors goal.
Mansfield lifted the tempo and on 67 minutes Coke's shot on the turn rattled the home crossbar. But two minutes later the Stags were level when Simon Brown burst down the right and netted with a low angled drive.
Boston fought back and almost regained the lead for a third time but, after bursting clear, Joachim's firm angled drive went just wide of the far post.
After that it was a case of both defences being on top with neither attack able to find a third route to goal.