Goal hero Lee Gregory- I think Stags will be a surprise to other teams in League One this season

Gregory and Stephen Quinn's goals in a magic five minute spell in the first half hoisted promoted Stags to the top of the table overnight after they withstood severe pressure from the highly-fancied Tykes.

“It was the perfect start - to come away from home for the first game of the season all you want is a result, and that's what we did,” he said.

“I think we have got a very good squad – the gaffer has done well with recruitment this year and kept a lot from last year.

“We have some very good players and I think we will be a surprise to other teams this year.

“I think we had some first game jitters tonight, but every game now we will start building more into it.

“The gaffer is experienced, he's been around the block enough times and knows what's what, and he is one of the best.

“He has a great set of lads and it's nice when you walk into the dressing room and they welcome you in.”

He added: “It's always good to score a goal, especially on your debut, so I am very pleased.

“I said before the game, any crosses, put them hard and low at the front post and I was lucky enough to get my head on it, the ball hitting the defender on the way in.

“I think first for 25-30 minutes we were really good and we knew what we wanted to do. We scored two goals very quickly.

“I think we did step off it a bit after that, but we ground out a result in the end.”

On Quinn's superb opener, he smiled: “What a goal – he can strike a ball for an old lad can't he? It was a great finish.

“When we're pushing on like that, to get the goal early on was what we wanted. He executed it brilliantly.”

Stags took over 3,000 fans to Oakwell and Gregory said: “The support was absolutely brilliant.

“I was actually surprised, I didn't think there would be that many tonight, so all credit to them.”