Dolan spot-kick sends Newport top of League Two

Newport County came from behind to beat Mansfield Town 2-1 and go top of League Two.

Scott Twine and Matt Dolan completed the comeback after Stephen McLaughlin’s opener for Mansfield.

Newport made one change from their penalty defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup. Padraig Amond dropped out for Joss Labadie in their 5-3-2 formation.

Mansfield, lining up in an identical formation, had to change after inquests into Graham Coughlan’s men’s performance at home to Exeter last week.

Mal Benning, Jordan Bowery, Andy Cook, and goalkeeper Marek Stech all dropped out, with the latter replaced by youngster Aidan Stone for his fourth senior appearance.

Eyes were on Coughlan as he had only won four of his first 20 matches in charge of the Stags. Losing two out of his first three meant that today was a must-win.

The opening exchanges saw County dominate the ball, but not create any clear cut chances. The first effort from Ollie Clarke was tame and easily gathered by Nick Townsend.

Town also created the first clear cut effort on goal. After a swift break from a Newport corner, Jamie Reid fired low but it was parried well away by Townsend yet again.

Micky Demetriou had the hosts’ first attempt, but it was saved well by Stone. Matt Dolan also stung the youngsters’ gloves, but he dealt with it comfortably after an initial spill. County were in charge but went in at half-time goalless.

Coughlan clearly had words’ with his side, as the second half began with Stags firing on all cylinders. After just 30 seconds, Mansfield created the first chance. After excellent work from Stephen McLaughlin, a cross perfectly found former Premier League marksman Nicky Maynard. The experienced journeyman fluffed his lines, but the Stags were well on top.

Stone was subsequently forced into a wonderful save from a long-range effort. Wales under-21 international Brandon Cooper unleashed a wonderful effort only to be denied by the young keeper.

At the other end, Townsend made two wonderful saves within a minute from Jamie Reid and Nicky Maynard. Reid won a loose ball on the edge of the box, only to be denied by a brilliant stop.

He turned provider when he fizzed in a cross to Nicky Maynard, which Townsend smartly stopped for a second time.

But it was only a matter of time. McLaughlin was threatening down the left all half, and it was he who cut inside on his right foot and found the top corner. Certainly a good way to announce yourself in league football for your new club.

With twelve minutes to go, Newport levelled. A cleared free-kick fell to Shephard who found Scott Twine, on loan from Swindon, to calmly slot past Stone.

Newport then would complete the turnaround from the spot. After what seemed a lost cause run from substitute Padraig Amond, he won the ball and it hit the arm of Rollin Menayese. Matt Dolan stepped up and slotted home, as he did in the 2018/19 play-off semi-final tie against the Stags.

They held on for victory which sees Newport top the Sky Bet League Two table, the first time they have been top of a Football League division since 1983 – Mansfield have just a point to their name from four.

Newport: Townsend; Haynes, Demetriou, Dolan, Cooper, Shephard, Labadie, Sheehan, Twine, Abrahams, Taylor

Subs: King, Baker, Willmott, Amond, Bennett, Ellison, Janneh

Mansfield: Stone; O’Keefe, McLaughlin, Menayese, Sweeney, Rawson, Clarke, Perch, Maris, Maynard, Reid

Subs: Campbell, Bowery, O’Driscoll, Charsley, Cook, Smith, Benning

 

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