Summary Liverpool registered a 2-1 win over Mansfield Town in their FA Cup third-round clash.
Luis Suarez s controversial goal proved the difference as Premier League giants Liverpool beat fifth-tier Mansfield Town 2-1 in their FA Cup third-round clash on Sunday.
The Uruguayan international -- no stranger to controversy since his arrival in England in January 2011 -- clearly handled the ball before poking it into the net to give the visitors a 2-0 lead with just over half an hour to go.
The hosts leading scorer Matt Green ensured an exciting finish with a 79th-minute strike.
Daniel Sturridge had opened the scoring seven minutes into his first outing following his 12 million ($19.3 million, 14.8 million euros) move from European champions Chelsea.
Mansfield manager Paul Cox said he would give Suarez "the benefit of the doubt" over the goal, but Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers admitted his forward had been fortunate.
"There is no doubt it was handball, but the officials have seen it was not deliberate," Rodgers told ESPN.
"I asked the fourth official if it was handball and he said it was. It is unfortunate for Mansfield and lucky for us we got the goal."
Mansfield s chief executive Carolyn Radford complained that her side deserved a second chance.
"I have enjoyed the day but it feels like it was stolen from us, whether it was deliberate or not," she said.
"It was not in our favour and we should have had at least a replay."
Liverpool were made to work hard for their win despite the 18-time English champions playing a side that was relegated from the Football League in 2008 and still struggling to get back out of the Conference National.
