Stags’ striker Danny Johnson admits to have had ‘goosebumps’ during today’s encounter, as his last-gasp penalty secured a dramatic 2-1 victory against Bristol Rovers.
The summer signing converted in injury time to net his first goal in amber and blue.
And the 28-year-old former Leyton Orient striker praised the fans at One Call Stadium and their role in Mansfield's late push in the game.
"It's brilliant to have the fans back in and to win the first home game of the season with one of the last kicks of the game, that's what football is all about,” said Johnson.
"There were some nerves in the first half but when you haven't seen the fans for a while you do get goosebumps.
"It [the nerves] shouldn't affect you but as a player it does. Then we settled down for the first ten minutes, got the goal, built at half time and pushed on in the second half.”
Johnson admits he felt some nerves as the spot kick was given but relished the opportunity to demonstrate his character as a striker.
"Being a striker it was massive to get off the mark today.
"I stepped up against Hull [in pre-season] and after that I said that I want to take penalties.
"When the whistle blew there were some nerves creeping in, with the occasion of it and knowing that this would get us the three points.
"I took myself away for a minute and I focused on where I was going to put it and I put it exactly where I wanted to.
"That's why I want to play football, to be brave and to convert penalties."
Johnson says it was important for Stags to start their season in style.
"Other teams will be looking at our result now as Bristol Rovers will probably be up there come the end of the season.
"We've got up the league table early which is good because you never want to be chasing from early on.
"I thought we were strong throughout, we've got a lot more to give and I didn't think that they [Bristol Rovers] troubled us really.
"I think if you ask Nathan [Bishop, goalkeeper] he didn't really have a save to make apart from a ‘quick’ one in the first half.
"There was the wonder strike in the second half ,which won't happen often this season, but we bounced back and the fans encouraged us to get the win."
iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Danny's interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later today.
