Clint Easton's curling seventh-minute free-kick won it for Hereford and left the Stags five points adrift of safety.

Brown kept out efforts from Will Atkinson, Matt Hamshaw, Nathan Arnold and Stephen Dawson while John Mullins while Alex John-Baptiste headed wide.

Boulding won a penalty after he was fouled by Ben Smith but his spot-kick was saved by Brown low to his left.

Mansfield: Muggleton (White 34), Jelleyman (Louis 81), Baptiste, Buxton, Mullins, Atkinson, Dawson, D'Laryea (Rory Boulding 71), Hamshaw, Arnold, Michael Boulding.
Subs Not Used: Martin, Wood.

Booked: Mullins, Baptiste.

Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, McCombe, Rose, Easton, Smith, Diagouraga, Johnson (Benjamin 85), Robinson (Taylor 67), Hooper.
Subs Not Used: Ingham, Threlfall, Gleeson.

Booked: Beckwith.

Goals: Easton 8.

Att: 1,606

Ref: Mike Thorpe (Suffolk).