NEWPORT County boss Dean Holdsworth was thrilled to see his side get back on track with a 2-0 victory over Southport on Saturday, but admits his weekend was spoiled by Conference rivals Mansfield Town, writes Michael Pearlman.

The Exiles got over their November wobble that has seen them go four games without a victory thanks to excellent goals from Ben Wright and Craig Reid in an uneventful encounter.

The three points fire County into fourth spot in the Conference National, but boss Holdsworth wanted to make clear that he feels the “disgusting” sacking of his twin brother, David, ruined any enjoyment for him.

Holdsworth is outraged by the manner in which the Staggs opted to remove David Holdsworth, sacked on Friday despite Mansfield being just four points outside the play-off spots.

“I really feel I have to speak on this and to speak up for David who is very, very disappointed and upset with how he has been treated,” he said.

“It has certainly spoiled my weekend despite a great result for us, and I want to make my feelings clear because to me the way the situation has been handled is unbelievable.

“I am not making judgements on whether it was right to do it (sack him) or not, because that’s the industry we are in and David knows that as well as anyone.

“But the manner of the dismissal stinks, in my opinion. It’s an absolute disgrace. He’s given absolutely everything to make that club successful and he was sacked over the phone, not even told face to face.

“He’s not even had a conversation with the chairman and I just find that amazing, for a club of their stature to treat someone so poorly and discourteously. I am very angry about it.”

Holdsworth could at least be cheered by an important victory, and praised his side for “doing the ugly things” in a forgettable match.

“The ball has been taken to hospital after the game because it was being smashed around so much,” he joked.

“It wasn’t a great game by any stretch of the imagination, but sometimes you have to do the horrible things, get your head in where it hurts, and we did all that stuff brilliantly.

“You also need to take your chances. We played far better at Eastbourne and got nothing out of the game because we missed loads of chances.

“On Saturday our finishing was much better and that was all important, Ben Wright got off the mark and that’ll be a catalyst for him now.”

Holdsworth also singled out Craig Reid, the striker netting his 61st goal for the club in his 100th appearance with a sublime second-half effort.

“Reidy is a fantastic player, I signed him and I’ve had total faith in him ever since,” he said.

“He’s a proper goal-scorer and even when he’s been a bit quiet by his standards, as is the case in the past few weeks, he has the ability to get a goal and win you a game, and that’s fantastic for me as a manager.”