Three straight wins since the start of the year – the latest against high-flying Carlisle united last Saturday – had seen Shrewsbury make huge strides up the League Two table, but their winning streak was brought to an end by a determined Field Mill outfit who were well worth a point.
Indeed, had it not been for a breathtaking save in the closing stages from teenage Shrewsbury goalkeeper Joe Hart, they would have returned home with all three points.
The latest Premiership side to run the rule over young Hart – following Manchester City, Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City – were West Ham United, whose goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko was in attendance.
And the former Hammers' hero must have been impressed with another assured display from the England under-18 international who is likely to cost any of his Premiership suitors in the region of £1million.
Both sides had difficulty in coming to terms with a tricky playing surface and 30 minutes of this scrappy encounter had passed before there was an effort of note.
Adam Birchall headed off the line after veteran Stags goalkeeper Kevin Pressman had been beaten all ends up by a looping header from Colin McMenamin.
There was little improvement in the second half as neither side could make much headway.
But with 90 seconds remaining Hart excelled himself for the umpteenth time this season with a brilliant block from Giles Coke after he had broken clear of the Shrewsbury defence.
Prior to the game a one-minute silence for former Mansfield goalkeeping coach Peter Wilson was impeccably observed.
Wilson had collapsed and died shortly before the game on November 17 last year, with that fixture subsequently postponed.