NEWPORT County AFC haven’t tasted victory on the opening day of a League Two campaign since August 2013 and they never really looked like changing that statistic at Mansfield Town on Saturday.

That glorious 4-1 win over Accrington Stanley, on the club’s first day back in the Football League after a 25-year absence, feels a long time ago now.

Since then the Exiles have kicked off the new term with a 2-0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers under Justin Edinburgh in 2014, a 3-0 thumping at Cambridge United in 2015 under Terry Butcher, a 3-2 home loss to Mansfield Town under Warren Feeney the following year and a 3-3 draw at Stevenage under Michael Flynn 12 months ago.

For the first time in four years County kicked off with the same manager in charge but it wasn’t the way Flynn or anyone connected with the club wanted to begin the season.

His side started brightly enough with new captain Andrew Crofts attacking with intent and Scot Bennett only denied a goal by a superb challenge from Mansfield Town defender Mal Benning.

But, while nowhere near as dominant as they were in February’s 5-0 win over County, the Stags were the better side.

They broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when the visitors missed several chances to clear the danger and Tyler Walker latched on to Krystian Pearce’s clever flick to stab the ball past Joe Day from close range.

Craig Davies so nearly made it 2-0 when he curled a brilliant effort onto the inside of the post but the hosts had to wait until the second half to wrap up the points.

The second goal arrived on 56 minutes when Mickey Demetriou didn’t do enough to block a cross from Walker and Dan Butler allowed Otis Khan to drift beyond him for a free header.

The third came nine minutes later when Tyler Forbes failed to get tight enough to Khan from a throw-in then left him free on the edge of the area to fire past Day from 25 yards.

Substitute Antoine Semenyo produced an excellent cameo in the closing stages, creating chances for Amond and Sheehan that could have led to two goals, but it wasn’t County’s day.

Instead it was an afternoon when Mansfield showed they are genuine promotion contenders and, on this evidence, the Exiles won’t be the only side to leave Field Mill empty-handed this season.

“I think it was an outstanding performance,” said Stags boss David Flitcroft.

“There was a real togetherness about us and we never looked under threat.

“You get a result like that off the back of a strong pre-season and work on the training ground.

“A lot of things that we’ve worked on were evident in the game and the new boys showed that they’ve settled in superbly.

“I said when I signed Otis that he’s got the ability to score goals but I didn’t expect a headed goal from him – I think that’s the first one he’s ever scored!

“And I was surprised at times how much space they gave Mal Benning because he can hurt you and unlock you. He had a lot of space and he utilised it superbly.”

This was always going to be a tricky start for Flynn’s men and next week’s home clash with Crewe Alexandra should provide a better clue to their prospects over the next nine months

County: Day; Forbes, Franks, Demetriou, Butler; Crofts (Sheehan, 59), Bennett, Dolan; Marsh-Brown (Cooper, 72), Matt (Semenyo, 59), Amond

Subs not used: Townsend, Pipe, Bakinson, Harris

Referee: Paul Marsden

Attendance: 4, 423 (320 County)