Newport County beaten 1-0 by League Two leaders Mansfield

George Maris’ strike in the 50th minute earned the spoils for the Stags, who had more moments of quality in a tough battle.

County failed to hit the heights of their Tuesday night triumph in Harrogate, with the exertions and travel no doubt playing a part.

The Exiles had a good record in Newport against teams in the hunt for automatic promotion – beating Stockport and Wrexham, drawing with Crewe and MK Dons – but were too wasteful with the ball against a well-organised Stags side.

They weren't at their best, and the refereeing was infuriating, but will dust themselves down ahead of a trip to Stockport next weekend.

Graham Coughlan made one change to the side that cruised to victory in Harrogate with Seb Palmer-Houlden recalled for fit-again Offrande Zanzala, who returned to the role of impact sub after scoring a double on his first start in over a year.

He was joined on the bench by Harry Charsley after he missed the trips to Milton Keynes and Yorkshire because of a hip injury.

Versatile midfielder Aaron Lewis was on the bench for his return to Rodney Parade with Mansfield, who had enjoyed a Tuesday without a fixture.

It was a keen contest from the off with County midfielder Aaron Wildig yellow-carded for a wild tackle on Ollie Clarke in the tenth minute.

County had their first effort in the 17th minute when referee Adam Herczeg played advantage after a foul on Will Evans then Bryn Morris drive from the edge of the area was deflected behind.

SHOT: Bryn Morris has an effort deflected behind for County against Mansfield (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Nick Townsend was called into action twice at the other end and was up to the task, coming off his line well to punch out a deflected cross and then saving from Davis Keillor-Dunn after he opted to shoot from distance when Kyle Jameson had headed into his back.

The first big chance of the game came after 26 minutes when a neat Mansfield move allowed Ollie Clarke to shoot on the turn but Townsend got down well to his left to save and hold.

The Stags were on top without creating too much danger for a County side that were fighting hard and relishing the 50/50s and aerial tussles, but not really looking after the ball well enough.

It was goalless at the break after a half in which the Exiles failed to have a shot on target and Mansfield didn’t seriously test Townsend.

County started the second half brightly with Palmer-Houlden having a shot on the turn blocked by former Cardiff centre-back Aden Flint inside a minute.

However, Mansfield responded and hit the front shortly after Hiram Boateng had wastefully headed wide.

Keillor-Dunn jinked into the box and could have gone down for a penalty but stayed on his feet and the attack continued for Baily Cargill to cross from the left and Maris to sweep in, beating Townsend at his near post.

He nearly doubled up shortly afterwards but curled a shot over from the edge of the area as the Stags looked to really take command.

County made a triple change on the hour after initially only planning to bring on midfielder Charsley for defender Kyle Jameson and Zanzala for Palmer-Houlden.

Coughlan was forced to also bring on Declan Drysdale, his first appearance since November, for James Clarke after the central defender went down with what looked to be a knee injury.

Chances were wasted at both ends with Charsley mis-kicking after a counter-attack and Keillor-Dunn failing to make the most of a big opportunity on the break, his shot deflected behind.

The game was stretched and Keillor-Dunn shot straight at Townsend on the turn and then had a shot superbly blocked by Lewis Payne.

The Southampton loanee was replaced after 73 with Harrison Bright coming on down the right while Luke Jephcott also came on for Aaron Wildig in a switch to 4-3-3 to hunt a leveller.

Townsend kept County in the hunt with a strong left hand to keep out Cargill’s powerful drive on the angle after 75 minutes as the Stags’ left flank continued to cause problems.

The Exiles failed to stress their visitors and it should have been 2-0 in the first of five added minutes but Stephen Quinn failed to find the unmarked Aaron Lewis in the box.

There was time for a scramble at the other end but Will Evans’ shot was blocked and County failed to burgle a point on a frustrating afternoon.

County: Townsend, Payne (Bright 73), Baker, Clarke (Drysdale 61), Jameson (Zanzala 61), Lewis, Bennett (captain), Morris, Wildig (Jephcott 73), Palmer-Houlden (Charsley 61), Evans.

Substitutes not used: Maxted, Waite.

Yellow: Wildig.

Mansfield scorer: Maris.

Referee: Adam Herczeg.