The Gers had a mixed team with under-20, under-19, under-18 and under-16 players playing alongside some first team players against an experienced senior aide.
Twice Rangers came from behind to level matters against the League Two side, but a quick-fire double eventually saw the visitors edged out.
The Development side looked to display real authority from the off and centre-back Lewis Mayo had Nicky Maynard well marshalled, with full-back James Maxwell also stepping in as the experienced forward sprung down the right.
Jacob Mellis’ skidding effort, which Andy Firth had covered, zipped past the post in the games first effort on goal before Rangers looked to make their mark.
Jamie Murphy expertly rolled his opponent inside his own half before bursting forward, his perfectly weighted pass finding the onrushing Greg Stewart whose low effort was parried behind by Conrad Logan.
From the resulting corner Jamie Barjonas sold an effective dummy and despite his centre being cleared, Graham Dorrans followed up with a shot just over the bar.
Approaching the break it was Rangers who continued to create the better openings and Jake Hastie fired narrowly wide from the angle, after Josh McPake set him free.
However, it was the hosts who took the lead when Andy Cook pounced at close range from Mal Benning’s free-kick in the 38th minute.
But Graeme Murty’s side who had the better of the opening period ensured they went in level, striking back just three minutes later. It appeared all options were exhausted but right-back Jordan Houston swept home a superb long-range equaliser.
A turnaround was almost completed on the stroke of half-time but Greg Stewart took one touch too many when looking to shoot, before his ball across the face of goal was cleared away by the home side.
Just moments after the restart Mellis restored Mansfield’s lead as his curling free-kick found the back of the net in the 48th minute.
Murty’s side continued to show their resilience and in the 54th minute again hit back to level the scoreline. Houston this time turning provider, with his ball inside being collected by Stewart who found the far corner from a deflected attempt on goal.
A series of Mansfield changes disrupted the games flow as the second-half wore on, but Rangers continued to attack in pursuit of the lead. Maxwell had an increasing attacking influence and fed McPake who was denied by Logan’s feet, having also nearly supplied Murphy with a chance.
Instead it was the Stags who again took the lead, this time when CJ Hamilton’s pull back was dispatched by Danny Rose. An advantage they swiftly added to just 60 seconds later when Otis Khan slotted home from the angle.
RANGERS: Andy Firth, Jordan Houston, James Maxwell (Leon King, 74), Daniel Finlayson, Lewis Mayo, Jamie Barjonas, Josh McPake, Graham Dorrans, Greg Stewart, Jamie Murphy (c), Jake Hastie: SUBS: Aidan McAdams, Umaro Balde, Cole McKinnon.
MANSFIELD TOWN: Conrad Logan, Mal Benning, Matt Preston (James Clarke, 60), Krystian Pearce (c), Neal Bishop (Dion Donohue, 65), Alex MacDonald (Otis Khan, 72), Jacob Mellis (Alistair Smith, 82), Nicky Maynard (Omari Sterling-James, 72), Ryan Sweeney, Andy Cook (Danny Rose, 45), Kellan Gordon (CJ Hamilton, 45). SUBS: Aidan Stone, Lewis Gibbons.
REFEREE: Declan Bourne ATTENDANCE: 1,063 (144 away)