Match Verdict

PADRAIG AMOND grabbed a late lifeline for the Welsh side, but you have to feel that Mansfield are in the driving seat heading into today’s return leg.
They have enjoyed some good wins over County at Field Mill in recent years – they beat them 3-0 earlier this season and 5-0 last – while Newport’s form on the road nearly cost them a place in the play-offs, picking up just a miserly six wins all campaign and losing 12.
The Stags’ form, though, has been average of best at late and they were largely second best at Rodney Parade. If it hadn’t ...