First Mansfield turned around a 2-1 deficit after the break to race into a 4-2 lead only to then throw it away in the final 10 minutes following a furious late Rovers rally which carried them to their 19th draw of the campaign.
The game hinged on two controversial penalties both scored by Rovers.
The first, right on half-time, slotted in by Lewis Haldane left Mansfield reeling and brought a booking for defender Alex Neil as they walked off.
The second was given on the say so of a linesman that was equally as decisive as Junior Agogo sparked Rovers' fight back.
Mansfield's stunning second half revival had looked certain to give them a sixth away win and put them past the holy grail of 50 points.
They scored two in the first four minutes of the second half with a great strike from Jamie Forrester and a well placed header from Richie Barker.
It looked all over for the demoralised Rovers when their uneasy defence handed a further goal to Callum Lloyd.
Rovers had put themselves under early pressure by conceding too many free kicks deep in their own half. When John Anderson clipped Fraser McLachlan's ankle they had to survive not only the free-kick, but also two corners.
The advantage was with Mansfield and, after Ryan Clarke had tipped a fierce shot from Lloyd away for another corner, it came as no surprise when they went ahead through Barker on 20 minutes.
After losing 3-1 at home to Oxford seven days earlier, Mansfield had taken a verbal lashing from new manager Carlton Palmer who made six changes.
This left, first Agogo, and then Ryan Williams with as much space as they needed down Rovers left flank.
Within a minute of taking the lead a Mansfield allowed Rovers a goal as Williams broke from the half way line to slip his shot past Kevin Pilkington.