Promotion favourites Luton Town had to come from a goal behind to claim their first win of the new season, with a 4-1 victory against Mansfield Town at Kenilworth Road.

The Hatters are experiencing their first season in non-league and they won't be here for long judging by this display.

It was a fiery contest throughout which saw two players, one from either side, receiving their marching orders.

Stags were forced into one change from Saturday's 4-0 victory at home to Crawley Town.Midfielder Matt Somner replaced the injured Gary Mills.

It was Luton's Andy Burgess, a summer signing from Rushden & Diamonds,who was the main threat on the left during the early stages.

But the game's first real chance fell to Kevin Gallen on seven minutes when Scott Garner's underpowered header went into his path - but his shot from outside the area flew wide.

Stags won their first corner 90 seconds later.

The onrushing Louis Briscoe came from nowhere to smash goalwards from Nix's cross, but the referee had spotted an infringement and halted play.

Stags had to withstand heavy pressure during the early stages, but they defended doggedly and forced Luton to long-distance shooting efforts.

On the quarter-hour mark, Louis Briscoe went on a surging run down the right, which resulted in Stags' second corner of the contest.

It was Mansfield, backed by a vociferous following of 548, who broke the deadlock on 18 minutes.Scott Gardner's deep free kick was headed back across the face of goal and fell invitingly into the path of the unmarked Scott Garner, who slotted home from short range.

But Luton, who attacked in numbers throughout, weren't prepared to lie down.They hit a succession of shots at the Mansfield goal, but to no avail.

It was then Mansfield's turn to try their luck.Louis Briscoe and Ryan Williams had efforts fly narrowly wide within the space of ten minutes.

As Luton came forward once more, Stags had to hold back the tide as Luton piled on the pressure.

The hosts then equalised seven minutes before halftime.George Pilkington grabbed his first of the night following a Luton corner.

In the second minute of added on time, Kyle Nix's free kick found the head of Scott Garner, but the 19 year old's header flew wide.

During the interval, club captain Ryan Williams was replaced by Steven Istead, making his debut, on the right of midfield.Mansfield adopteda 4-3-3 formation with Duffy, Perry and Briscoe leading the three-pronged attack.

It wasn't long into the second half when the referee had to sweat on a big decision.As Rob Duffy was sent through the middle, he was hauled down by Luton's Callum Reynolds, and the man in the middle awarded a free kick from just outside the area when some felt the foul took place inside the box.Stags were unable to make the most of the opportunity, however, as Kyle Nix smashed straight into the wall.

Luton doubled their advantage with 25 minutes remaining, and it came from another corner.Alan Marriott did well to turn behind an Asa Hall drive, but he could do nothing about George Pilkington's 12 yard shot which found the net from the resulting flag kick.

Three minutes later, livewire Jake Speight replaced Matt Somner as Stags went in search of an equaliser.

By this time, Luton were pressing intensely which forced Mansfield to defend deeper.Andy Burgess experienced a quieter second half, but Adam Newton saw more of the action on the opposite flank.

With 15 minutes left to play, Louis Briscoe, did well to find fellow forward Kyle Perry on the left - but the former Vale striker failed to strike the ball cleanly from distance and it struck the top of the stand.

Daryl Clare then came on for Briscoe on 80 minutes.Soon after, Luton made certain of the points.

Asa Hall's cross from the left was headed into his own goal by Kyle Perry.

The referee then produced two red cards in the space of five minutes.Firstly, Callum Reynolds had an early bath after receiving a second yellow card, and then Scott Gardner saw an instant red for afoul on Freddie Murray.

The fourth and final goal came deep into stoppage time.Adam Newton went down softly under a Kyle Perry challenge, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Tom Craddock to add the fourth from 12 yards to gift Luton their first win of the campaign.