Salford defended superbly as they chalked up a 2-1 win on their first-ever visit to Mansfield in Sky Bet League Two.
The improved Stags had been unbeaten for three games but paid the price for failing to take chances.
Salford broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half as the speedy Jake Jervis raced onto Adam Rooney's flick down the left and slotted home off the inside of the far post.
Nicky Maynard sent a low finish across the face of the Salford goal after 61 minutes, but four minutes later a Jervis cross was only half-cleared and Rooney buried a dipping 12-yard volley over Conrad Logan for 2-0.
Maynard pulled one back from six yards as he turned well on a Conor Shaughnessy pass with 76 minutes gone.
Maynard failed to take two chances in the first half, Mark Howard saved from Andy Cook and Shaughnessy hooked just wide.
The visitors were denied an early lead as an offside flag ruled out a Cameron Burgess header and also saw Craig Conway's free-kick come back off the post.