MANSFIELD manager David Holdsworth pulled rank on his twin brother, Dean, as his Blue Square Premier side had the edge from both a physical and football perspective.

But the County boss, who is not a fan of friendlies, was not too despondent as he knows there is plenty more to come from his charges.

“Mansfield are full-time and working every day gives you a little bit of an edge in fitness, but I felt we were more than a match for them in the first half and were a little unlucky to go in a goal down at half-time.

“There were a lot of good things to come from the first 45 minutes and it was a really good exercise.”

With Nathan Davies still sidelined and Wayne Turk probably a week away from fitness, Holdsworth will have Scott Rogers back for Tuesday’s friendly at Caldicot, which will be a relief because County cannot hope to compete with physically strong and capable sides like Mansfield without a holding midfield player.

Rob Duffy, who was hugely disappointing during his time at County in the first half of last season, wore the captain’s armband for the visitors, for whom he scored nine goals after leaving Newport under a cloud.

But he still failed to give County fans the slightest glimpse of his talent, departing proceedings after just 10 minutes, enabling the Stags to introduce impressive trialist Jason Bradley.

Former Team Bath skipper Gary Warren made his first appearance in a County shirt after playing for British Universities, and he lined up alongside captain Aaron Cook at the back while another former Team Bath player, Takumi Ake, livened up a disappointingly small crowd which was boosted by a large Mansfield contingent.

Dean Holdsworth said: “I thought Gary did well and Takumi is going to be a big favourite with the fans.”

Kyle Nix looked useful for the visitors and he rattled Glyn Thompson’s crossbar before picking up a knock which caused the exit of the former Manchester United and Aston Villa youngster on a stretcher.

Cook, Martyn Giles and Sam Foley were all close to putting County in front before a crossfield pass from Mansfield’s Gary Mills provided the chance for Kyle Perry to produce a very good finish to give Mansfield a 43rd-minute lead, though Danny Rose was desperately close to sending the sides in level with a trademark free kick which hit the bar.

Three minutes into the second half Giles made an ill-timed tackle on Gary Silk and referee Paul Rees awarded the penalty which was neatly struck home by Perry for his second goal.

The match then became little more than a procession of substitutions and Mansfield always looked to have the edge.

The match at Caldicot on Tuesday will kick off at 7.30pm and not at the original scheduled time of 7.45pm.

County: Glyn Thompson, Ali Gibb (Matt Smith 66), Martyn Giles, Kris Leek (Josh Hartridge 68), Aaron Cook, Gary Warren (Gary Colborne 80), Danny Rose (Tom Piotrowski 89), Sam Foley, Craig Reid (Scott Armitage 53), Dave Gilroy (Ricky Manship 58), Takumi Ake.

Mansfield: Alan Marriott (Tim Sandercombe 82), Gary Silk (Scott Gardner 57), Scott Garner (Luke Graham 74), Luke Jones, Paul Heckingbottom (Craig Armstrong 71), Gary Mills, Matthew Somner (Jonathan D’Laryea 57), Kyle Nix (Ryan Williams 30), Kyle Perry (Daryl Clare 63), Louis Briscoe, Rob Duffy (Jason Bradley 10).

Referee: Paul Rees. Attendance: 558.