Both managers desperately needed maximum points on their bid for promotion from the third division - but it was the Stags' Keith Curle who went home happier.
He knew defeat would see his team drop out of the play-off places with Yeovil leaping above them - and midway through the second half it looked as though the Somerset team were heading for victory.
In the 62nd minute inspirational home skipper Terry Skiverton moved up to head in a right wing corner. He damaged his back in the process and his presence at the back was missed as Mansfield pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages.
The visitors forced a number of free-kicks on the edge of the box as Yeovil lived dangerously.
In the 71st minute Yeovil keeper Stephen Collis made a magnificent save to keep out Wayne Corden's free-kick but seven minutes later the equaliser arrived.
From another free-kick, this time taken by Liam Lawrence, Collis made another good save. But as he pushed the ball out substitute Chris Beardsley whipped it back into the middle and Rhys Day headed in.
Both teams hit the woodwork in the goalless first half. Neil Mackenzie thundered a 25-yard drive against the Yeovil bar in the 16th minute and on 42 minutes Yeovil's Kevin Gall - without a goal since December - headed against a post from an awkward angle.
The main talking point of the half came on 32 minutes when Gall in the clear, was floored from behind by Bobby Hassell but referee Richard Beeby refused to give want seemed an obvious penalty.
Yeovil manager Gary Johnson, normally an affable character, was asked if he had challenged the referees decisions.
"I wont do that for a week," he said. "I will when I have calmed down - I don't want to have to go before the FA along with Sam Allardyce." His opposite number Keith Curle said: "Sometimes you get those decisions, sometimes you don't. It is just one of those things." The managers agreed it was a excellent advert for the third division and Johnson added: "Although I am disappointed not to get the three points I thought we deserved, I was pleased that we got our form back and we are still in their chasing promotion."