Mansfield were among the early pacesetters after making an excellent start to the season, but the stuttering Stags are in freefall going into tomorrow's match against Wrexham at Field Mill.

Billy McEwan's side suffered a fourth defeat in five games at Burton Albion on Monday in front of the live television cameras, and have only won one of their last seven outings.

That is in stark contrast to their blistering start to a first Blue Square Premier campaign after being relegated with Wrexham in May.

Five wins, a draw and two defeats in the opening eight matches saw Mansfield challenging at the top of the table but they find themselves well off the pace after the loss in form.

The Stags are now 11th, six points off the play-off spots and already nine points from the one automatic promotion spot.

That will worsen when Mansfield have the four points taken off them for playing ineligible players, leaving them 17th, just two points above the relegation zone.

They were docked the four points earlier this month after being found guilty of fielding at least one ineligible player in the opening two games of the season.

The Football Conference investigation looked into whether striker Aaron O'Connor played for Mansfield while still registered with former club Grays Athletic, and there is the possibility of further ineligible players having been fielded in the opening two matches, where the Stags picked up a draw and a win.

Mansfield are not expected to appeal against the decision and a spokesman said: "The club are disappointed to have had four points deducted as a result of the hearing.

"However, the club recognise that discretion available to the disciplinary panel has been used in minimising the fine of £1,000 due to the mitigating circumstances surrounding the case.

"It is the club's belief that points should be won and lost on the pitch.

"There are 90-plus points available to play for and there is time to win them this season. Our resolve to do so has been strengthened.

"The club share the disappointment with our fans and are determined that the decision should galvanise us all and strengthen our determination to improve and reap the reward at the end of the season."

McEwan, who admitted the points deduction was hard to take, thought the club had a strong case as to why ineligible players were fielded.

"You're sitting in seventh spot and all of a sudden overnight you're deducted points like that," said McEwan.

"It's not as if we were trying to cheat. It's not fair on my team and not fair on the club, and it makes me think if it's worthwhile staying at this level.

"The Football Conference know all the problems the football club has had with the takeover.

"The administration staff left, so it was rush, rush to try and get a team in place.

"We've got to accept the decision but it's tough to take."

Having seen Mansfield lose again at Burton on Monday, McEwan, with money set aside to boost the squad, believes he may have to bring in new faces following the recent run of poor results.

"Now it's time to get them in - we need competition and the challenge, and players have to be looking over their shoulder," said McEwan.

"I have had to stick with this group of players so far as they had done well for me. But we have now hit a dip and I have money in the coffers.

"The thing is can these players rise above it and battle? They need to roll their sleeves up. Some of them need to show more desire than they showed out there and have to do better."

McEwan signed former Swansea and Middlesbrough goalkeeper David Knight in the run-up to Monday's defeat at Burton.

Knight was on the bench and is competing with regular shot-stopper Patrick Gamble - on loan from Nottingham Forest - for a starting place against Wrexham.

Gary Silk, Adie Moses, Alan O'Hare and Alex Jeannin could form a four man defence.

Nathan Arnold, Gavin Hurren, Jonathan D'Laryea and former Wrexham man Michael Blackwood could feature in midfield with leading scorer Mark Stallard, who has seven goals so far this season, and Aaron O'Connor leading the attack.

Experienced frontman Jason Lee could have to settle for a place on the substitutes bench.