STAGS boss Billy McEwan was delighted with a second home win in five days after the six-goal thriler with Kidderminster - and said 'the signs are encouraging' for the re-borne club.
But he warned Mansfield Town's players and fans not to get carried away by the three-match unbeaten start to the season, which took the Stags to second place in the Blue Square Premier on Saturday afternoon.
He said: "I was pleased to be three goals up at half-time, but not that pleased with the performance. We can play better than that.
"I warned the players at half-time that the game was not all over at 3-0.
"We could hear their manager, through the dressing room walls at half-time, screaming his head off and so we knew there would be a reaction from them.
"But you are going to get misunderstandings in our team, the players have not been together much. So I was pleased that we fought back ourselves at the end.
"It was a good win for us, even if it was a bit hectic. I am delighted that he have won and scored four goals at home. That's what the fans want to see.
"The fans have been fantastic, making a lot of noise and making the new players feel welcome.
"You would have taken seven points out of nine at the start of the season.
"So I am chuffed for the players. We know that there is a long way to go and a lot of bonding and teamwork to build.
"But the early signs are encouraging. We just hope we can keep the good things going.
"There is still a lot of hard work ahead and I know we can play better than that. There is lots to work on, the team play and shape which we are trying to achieve. But tonight I am just delighted to have won at home again."
McEwan's decision to replace two-goal Mark Stallard with the fresher legs of young striker Aaron O'Connor in the later stages proved vital when the substitute struck a crucial fourth goal in injury time.
The manager added: "It was a big decision to make the change and today it worked for us. Sometimes it works for you with substitutions and sometimes it doesn't.
"Aaron is a young player who has done quite well so far; as have the experienced strikers Mark Stallard and Jason Lee. That's why I brought them to the club, for their experience, and they did well at times.
"We can't allow teams back into games when we are in front. I know I have said this before, but there are no easy games in this League.
"There is a lesson for me to learn from what happened in the second half.
"But I will judge players over 46 games, a season, not just three matches. And judge me, too, over a season."
McEwan also revealed that he still wants to strengthen his squad with three or four new players before injuries and suspensions kick in.
Harriers boss Mark Yates bemoaned: "We gave Mansfield three goals."They have two good players up front, but no way on this earth are they better than us.
"My defenders have to take a look at themselves.
"We started brightly but gave away a penalty, if it was a penalty. Whatever, we shouldn't have let him get in.
"Then players the club would normally hang its hat on, good players I would normally hang my hat on, didn't do the basics.
"Our first half defending was poor and it was too easy for Stallard and Lee. That irritates me as it's something we work on in training.
"I was shellshocked at half time and I had a few choice words for one or two players. I wanted a reaction and I got that as we were by far the better side after the break and made a fight of it.
"Maybe a I picked the wrong side to start the game and maybe I have to have a good look at myself tonight. But, as far as I am concerned, our season finally started at 4pm today."
The full article contains 723 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
