Great start, but tough season lays ahead says Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough after win at Barnsley

But he also said the game had underlined how tough life was going to be for the next nine months as his promoted side try to acclimatise to the new higher standard.

Two goals in five minutes from Stephen Quinn and Lee Gregory put Stags in charge in a superb first half hour's show from the visitors against a side tipped for promotion.

But the Tykes were gifted a way back into it with a deflected goal and Stags were under severe pressure for much of the game after that as the home side looked for an equaliser.

“What a way to start our first season back in League One after 21 years and to start the game in the manner we did,” said Clough.

“But we have to remember it is only one win.

“As good as it feels at the moment, we have got another long 45 games to go.

“And if they are all going to be as hard as tonight we're in for a tough time.

“It was wonderful to see the fans come up in their numbers again and it was a memorable first night back in League One after 21 years for them and they will remember it.

“You can see the step up in the fitness, the physicality and the physique of the opposition and we have got to get used to it.

“But the way we played early on will give us great confidence going forward.”

He added: “It was the positive approach we have been emphasising to the players.

“We know we are going to have to change and be flexible at times, as we were second half when we went to three centre halves.

“But if we can start games like we did, we'll see how it goes and if it's working we will do it.

“It forced Barnsley into a substitution after 25 minutes and they changed formation which gave them a little bit more traction in the game. So we have to react accordingly.

“We gave ourselves a problem by conceding a sloppy goal, though it was a very fortunate goal for them being deflected, which got Barnsley back in the game.

“Up to that point we were in control.”

On the goals, he said: “Both our goals were top quality, especially Quinny's. It was that extra second he took to chest it down. He was unhurried on the edge of the box and no goalkeeper would have saved that.

“I think when that went in, it probably justified his decision not to retire. He was good again for an hour tonight and instrumental in a lot of the good work early on.”

Gregory then headed in a Keanu Baccus cross and Clough said: “It wasn't just the cross and finish, it was the magnificent build-up as well.

“But Lee has his first league goal for us, which is brilliant for him.

“He wasn't going to play as he has been ill, but of the three strikers we thought he would be the best to give us that hour.

“I thought we gave the ball away too much for about 20 minutes after the break. It was a little bit panicky and we didn't relax enough.

“After that we got a bit more back into the game and I thought we had three or four unbelievably good situations and chances to go and get that third goal.”

The only injury issue from the game was left back Frazer Blake-Tracey feeling his hamstring late on and he will be assessed before Tuesday's Carabao Cup trip to Bolton Wanders, a game which could see returns for fellow defenders George Williams and Callum Macdonald to the squad.