Newport County left rueing ref's key call against Mansfield

The Exiles were enraged by referee Adam Herczeg’s decision to play an advantage in the build-up to George Maris’ winner in the 50th minute.

The Stags got their noses in front and that was enough to strengthen their bid for automatic promotion while County’s push for the play-offs suffered a blow, but certainly not a terminal one.

They slip to 12th in the table and are five points back on seventh-placed Walsall with plenty of twists and turns to come.

Here are some talking points from Rodney Parade…

FOUL: County captain Scot Bennett was clattered in the build-up to Mansfield's goal (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

THE FLASHPOINT

On 49 minutes and 22 seconds, Scot Bennett dinked the ball around Baily Cargill and was clattered by Hiram Boateng as he played a ball down the right flank in front of the Bisley Stand.

Ref Herczeg played advantage with Seb Palmer-Houlden in possession but heading towards the corner with two defenders close and just Aaron Wildig in support, also tracked by a pair of Stags.

The striker's attempted ball through to his midfielder was blocked, it fell to Cargill and he launched a diagonal that found Davis Keillor-Dunn with 49 minutes 30 on the clock.

He jinked past three defenders on his way into the box but stayed on his feet after a very risky Adam Lewis tackle that would have given the official another big call had he gone down.

Nonetheless, the attack continued and Cargill dinked the ball past Lewis Payne, got to the byline and crossed for Maris to score after 49 minutes and 53 seconds.

Just 31 seconds after County should have had a free-kick, they were behind against a very well organised side and it’s understandable why Graham Coughlan was livid after the game. He will also know that the defending could have been better.

Herczeg had a poor game and County’s boss feels his side consistently get a raw deal, but don’t all clubs? I’d argue it’s more a question of EFL standards rather than ‘little’ Newport being treated differently.

The can grumble about that decision against Mansfield but I don't believe they could grumble about the result.

DOMINANT: Aden Flint heads clear for Mansfield at Newport County (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

YARDSTICK

Mansfield are setting the pace in League Two and it’s easy to see why, even if they weren’t at their absolute best in Newport.

They looked an extremely well-drilled side with the ability to play in different ways with some physical lumps but also a fair smattering of ball players.

Coughlan called it before the game: “If you want to fight Mansfield, they will fight you. If you want to play, they will play.”

County have played well against the top sides in the division in Newport but Mansfield did what Stockport, Wrexham, Crewe and Milton Keynes Dons couldn’t by bagging three points.

It will be a surprise if they are not playing in the third tier for the first time since 2003 next season, while County will need a very strong finish if they are to sneak into the top seven to stand a chance of joining them in going up.

They won’t have many tougher assignments than the Stags and they were doing a pretty good job of frustrating the leaders before the controversial goal.

However, a second Mansfield goal always looked more likely than an equaliser and Nigel Clough bemoaned his side’s lack of a killer instinct after the game.

County, meanwhile, had six shots with five of them blocked and none of them on target with Stags goalkeeper Christy Pym untroubled.

They weren’t at their slickest with the ball and lacked the quality in the final third to really put their visitors under pressure.

But there’s no need for a major inquest, County will just dust themselves down and go again for another tough test at promotion-chasing Stockport on Saturday.

RETURN: Declan Drysdale featured for the first time since November (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

REJIGGING

County have played 46 games in all competitions this season and that workload plus the injury list is shaping Coughlan’s thinking.

Offrande Zanzala stepped out of the XI after scoring two goals at Harrogate on his first start since February of last year.

Kyle Jameson made his second start of the week after returning from a hip injury suffered in August but, like the striker, is not ready for the full 90 minutes.

His substitution coincided with an injury to fellow centre-back James Clarke, which led to a return for Declan Drysdale after being sidelined since November.

Zanzala, Jameson and Drysdale are all being nursed towards full fitness while teenagers Lewis Payne and Seb Palmer-Houlden are experiencing a first full season of proper EFL action so will naturally have the occasional dip.

Add into the mix January signing Luke Jephcott being short of sharpness after being a fringe figure at St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership and it’s clear that Coughlan and his coaching staff have a lot to consider.

They are having to pick accordingly and use substitutions wisely to avoid a repeat of the autumn injury woes.

The manager will hope that as March progresses he will be able to have the consistency of selection he craves, but the schedule is tough with long trips to Stockport, Wimbledon, Barrow and Colchester to contend with.