An inline electrical connector system includes male and female connectors and a mate assist slider. The male connector includes first and second spaced apart projections which engage with rotatable gears on the female connector, and the mate assist slider includes a gear track which engages with the gears. Axial movement of the female connector and mate assist slider relative to the male connector causes engagement of the first and second projections with the first and second gears, thereby causing the first and second gears to rotate relative to the gear track and draw the female connector and mate assist slider onto the male connector. A releasable connector position assurance device is provided on the mate assist slider to lock the components into a locked position.