LOMAS ON STAGS: Superb start as Stags show no fear of life in League One

We all know one swallow does not make a summer and, having been promoted to a higher level, the first and most important thing to do is survive.

It has taken 21 years to get back to League One level and staying there is of paramount importance as the club try to consolidate and improve on and off the pitch.

But anyone worrying about Stags getting a rude awakening in their first game away to one of the promotion favourites will have been delighted to see their side show no fear and upset the odds.

Nigel Clough’s new signings fitted in perfectly and Stags, roared on by a magnificent away following, took the game to Barnsley from the first whistle, reminiscent of many games from last season. They had a goal disallowed before netting twice in five minutes and the Tykes were on the ropes.

It took a lucky deflected goal to get the Yorkshire club back in the hunt and lift their confidence. But Stags defended magnificently with Christy Pym having little to do and they did have chances to seal it too at the other end.

The pulsating first half will long live in the memory while the second half was occasionally a nailbiter as Barnsley tried to go up the gears.

Of the new boys, Keanu Baccus created the second goal and was a livewire in the first half and Frazer Blake-Tracy was a big, lively unit pounding up the left wing to support Stephen Quinn.

Lee Gregory worked his socks off and got his goal, looking strong in holding the ball up and winning free kicks while Deji Oshilaja was an immense tower of strength at the heart of the defence where Aden Flint dominated alongside him.

When you think of the players still to come back in off the treatment table who would normally start for Mansfield, it does suggest the club can live at this level and even thrive.

We all know there will be dark nights and blows to suffer over the next nine months. But this was a glory night to savour. – and that is exactly what fans will be doing while looking forward to crossing swords with Clough’s old employers Burton Albion for this Saturday’s first home game.