Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Match Reports

REPORT | Exiles forced to settle for point against Mansfield Town

9 April 2021

Match Reports

REPORT | Exiles forced to settle for point against Mansfield Town

9 April 2021

Tyrese Sinclair's late strike forced Newport County AFC to settle for a 1-1 draw against Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium.

The Exiles had to be patient in Nottinghamshire after enjoying the better of the opportunities before Joss Labadie opened the scoring 15 minutes before the end.

It put County on course to sealing back-to-back wins after Monday's hard-earned victory over promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers.

Nick Townsend came to the away side's rescue on several occasions to keep the home side at bay, but there was little he could do to deny Sinclair's late effort as the Exiles were denied maximum points.

Manager Michael Flynn made three changes from the win over Bolton Wanderers, as Mickey Demetriou, who served his one-match suspension against the Trotters, Joe Ledley and Dom Telford were brought into the starting line-up.

David Longe-King dropped to the bench, Priestley Farquharson missed out through injury and Nicky Maynard was unable to feature against his parent club.

A frantic start in Nottinghamshire saw both sides go close to breaking the deadlock in the opening three minutes. The Exiles carved out the first of the two early chances with less than 60 seconds on the clock as Aaron Lewis' snapshot from distance brought out a save from Mansfield goalkeeper Aidan Stone.

Townsend made a big save late on to keep Bolton at bay earlier in the week and he was thrust into action again early on against the Stags. Stephen Quinn's ball across goal picked out Sinclair, whose header was somehow palmed onto the woodwork by the Exiles goalkeeper. The home side protested that the ball had crossed but referee Christopher Pollard awarded a goal-kick after Ollie Clarke blasted over the crossbar on the rebound.

County had to wait until mid-way through the first half for their second chance of the evening after Lewis and Josh Sheehan combined to win the visitors a free-kick. The latter delivered a threatening ball which found an unmarked Ledley, who guided his effort narrowly past the near post.

Labadie then created another opportunity for the visitors when he dispossessed Clarke and found the path of Telford. The striker took a neat touch to take the ball beyond Farrend Rawson before stinging the palms of Stone with a powerful shot.

Quinn was up next to try his luck for the home side when he cut inside from the left-wing and curled an effort past the wrong side of the far post with the final chance of the first half.

County went close to taking the lead eight minutes after the restart after Sheehan's dangerous free-kick brought another save out of Mansfield goalkeeper Stone.

Sheehan's dangerous free-kick brought another save out of Mansfield goalkeeper Stone after the restart before the away side enjoyed their best opportunity to open the scoring down the opposite end. After linking up with Jordan Bowery inside the penalty area, Quinn's shot deflected back off the upright and just evaded the waiting Sinclair, who was unable to pounce on the rebound.

Flynn sent on youngsters Jake Scrimshaw and Lewis Collins just after the hour-mark and the pair combined to create another opportunity with a quick breakaway. After continuing his run forward, Collins teed up Labadie on the edge of the area and his shot flew over the crossbar.

The Exiles skipper finally gave the visitors the lead with 15 minutes left when he dispossessed George Maris, advanced into the penalty area and saw his shot creep under Stone.

County looked to be on course to picking up back-to-back wins but the hosts hit back nine minutes later.

It looked like County had done enough to clear their lines when Bennett headed a cross to safety, but the ball fell back to Sinclair, who rifled the ball into the roof of the net to earn the Stags a share of the spoils.

Newport County AFC: Nick Townsend, Aaron Lewis, Mickey Demetriou, Matty Dolan, Scot Bennett, Liam Shephard, Joe Ledley (Lewis Collins 67'), Josh Sheehan, Joss Labadie (C), Dom Telford (Jake Scrimshaw 62'), Ryan Taylor.

Subs not used: Tom King, David Longe-King, Kevin Ellison, Luke Gambin, Padraig Amond.


Advertisement block

iFollow Next Match Tickets Account