Mansfield Town 2 Newport County 1

Graham Westley admitted 10-man Newport County’s defeat at Mansfield was hard to take as they suffered another blow in their relegation fight.

The Exiles remain six points adrift of safety as the Stags came from behind to win.

Ryan Bird’s close range effort for his fourth goal of the season gave County an early lead but Krystian Pearce levelled.

But then Jaanai Gordon was sent off on 67 minutes for a second yellow card before Shaquile Coulthirst’s netted the winner from the spot-kick after Craig Reid handled with 15 minutes left.

Westley said: “It’s a difficult result to take. We have to talk about a huge turning point in the where a sending off happens.

“We were confident and feeling good about the way we were playing at the stage and the sending off was a massive turning point – there was scarcely any contact.

“When you look at the second yellow I am sure even their manager will say there was no foul involved.

“I was going to replace Gordon because he had cramp, but he said he could carry on.

“What happened, happened. I have seen it several times now.

“The ball comes forward, their boy clutches his face, but Gordon’s arms were down. There was scarcely any contact.

“He had jumped honestly for a ball and nobody in their right mind would send him off. We couldn’t believe it.”

“It was never going to be easy for us but credit to our players.”

Westley also disputed the penalty insisting Reid had not handled it.

He added: “He is adamant the ball struck his chest.

“It is difficult to have a view from the footage. The ball went like a rocket at him.
“In the last 20 minutes we went forward and the boys showed great character and managed to create the late chance.

“If Bird had scored it would have been a fantastic point.”