Injury-hit Mansfield suffered a fourth successive league defeat as a classy Bolton side won 1-0 at the One Call Stadium, with the contest reshaped inside the opening quarter of an hour when Rhys Oates was sent off after just 12 minutes.
With several key players already out, depleted Mansfield were left further up against it after Oates jumped into a dangerous tackle on Ethan Erhahon, leaving the referee with little option. Jordi Osei-Tutu's first-half finish ultimately settled it and stretched Bolton's unbeaten league run to six games.
Stags Dig In Despite Early Setback
Reduced to ten men so early, Mansfield protected goalkeeper Liam Roberts well as Bolton tried to make their numerical advantage pay. The hosts even threatened on the break, with Jamie McDonnell inches wide of the Bolton net from 25 yards on 23 minutes.