Having failed to score in 22 appearances for York in 1996–97, Cresswell joined Third Division club Mansfield Town on loan on 27 March 1997, making his debut in a 0–0 draw away to Exeter City on 29 March. He scored his first and only goal for Mansfield in a 1–0 win away to Rochdale on 5 April 1997, before finishing the loan with five appearances. He scored four goals in 30 appearances for York in 1997–98, and during this season he was barracked by a small section of the York support.