Nottingham Forest's trio of Mansfield Town loanees couldn't help the Stags to promotion from League Two on Saturday afternoon.
Mansfield were leapfrogged by MK Dons into the third and final automatic promotion spot after their 1-0 defeat at Stadium MK.
David Wheeler headed the Dons in front after two minutes and David Flitcroft's side were unable to break through a resolute defence and will have to settle for a spot in the play-offs.
EFL issue warning to Nottingham Forest fans ahead of Bolton Wanderers game
The Field Mill club were third in the League before the match, and had a better goal difference than their opponents, level on 76 points with Paul Tisdale's side.
Forest lent goalkeeper Jordan Smith and midfielder Jorge Grant and striker Tyler Walker to Mansfield, and all eyes will be on them in the play-offs, which begin on Thursday night.
