Ryan Bowman caught Mansfield napping to fire the winner as Exeter maintained their unbeaten run at the top of League Two thanks to a 1-0 victory.
The Stags switched off as Dean Moxey's long throw picked out Bowman, who let the ball bounce before lashing a fierce effort past Conrad Logan and into the roof of the net.
The fifth-minute opener proved decisive as Exeter made it two wins from three homes games this season, while the visitors finished with 10 men.
After Bowman's early goal, Nicky Maynard wasted a glorious chance to level when he chested the ball down and lashed wide.
Exeter came close to doubling their lead towards the end of the first half - Randell Williams swung over a corner and Bowman's header came back off the post before Danny Rose cleared the ball off the line.
Mansfield best chance for an equaliser came in the 78th minute when substitute Omari Sterling-James blasted an effort narrowly past the post.
The home side almost sealed the win after Jake Taylor's stunning volley rattled the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Mansfield were reduced to 10 men in the 86th minute after Ryan Sweeney was adjudged to have used an elbow to floor Bowman.
Report supplied by PA Media
