NEWPORT County AFC fought back from a goal down to claim a point against Mansfield Town after substitute Shawn McCoulsky cancelled out Danny Rose's opener for the visitors. Here's what we learned...
1. McCoulsky has earned his chance
Manager Michael Flynn says the striker is “knocking on the door” for a start but surely now he’s bashed the door off its hinges?
A third successive goal off the bench made McCoulsky the club’s top scorer, earned County a point and must have earned the 20-year-old a starting spot in a front two or even a front three.
Great character from the boys coming back from 1-0 down and taking a point from the game! 🙌🏾 Pleased to get another Goal! ⚽️🙏🏾#Exiles
— Shawn McCoulsky (@SMccoulsky) October 21, 2017
2. County have cojones aplenty
Watford striker Troy Deeney made headlines this week after accusing Arsenal of lacking any sort of spirit in adversity but the same could not be said of the Exiles.
After a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Colchester United on Tuesday, they went a goal down against the run of play in awful conditions and could have felt sorry for themselves. But Flynn’s men responded superbly after the break and could have taken all three points.
3. Defenders won’t pay the penalty for set-piece shenanigans
Referee Charles Breakspear frustrated the County fans, players and manager by constantly stopping play as Mansfield prepared to defend corners, throw-ins and free-kicks and warning the opposition to stop pushing and pulling in the box.
But, despite three or four warnings, Steve Evans’ side carried on regardless. Perhaps a penalty or two for the Exiles would have got the message across.
4. Teams happy to take a point from Rodney Parade
Mansfield were the pre-season promotion favourites but they had the referee and goalkeeper Conrad Logan to thank for taking a point.
And the visitors rarely showed much ambition to take anything more than that, sitting back after taking the lead and winding down the clock at the death to ensure a share of the spoils.
5. Weather worries a thing of the past
It is still early days and the ground staff are concerned about the number of games scheduled at Rodney Parade in December but the pitch stood up well to Storm Brian.
In years gone by, County and Mansfield fans would have been expecting a postponement and that would have affected the attendance but the drainage system appears to be functioning well and the weather is one less thing for Flynn and his coaching staff to worry about.
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