'˜Newport win a good learning curve for Stags,' says Murray

Mansfield Town players celebrate Kevan Hurst's late goal - Pic Chris Holloway

A late goal from Kevan Hurst gave the Stags a 3-2 win at Rodney Parade against a new-look Exiles side, in what Murray had warned would be a tough test for his team before kick-off.

And though pleased with the performance of his team, which boasted four new summer recruits, the Mansfield manager was happy with the reaction of his players after full time.

He said: “It was a good performance and a good result away from home to pick up three points. We took a lot of positives out of it but it was also a good learning curve for us.

Mansfield Town's Matt Green heads the ball home - Pic Chris Holloway

“We could get better at a lot of things and it was pleasing to see the boys afterwards not just satisfied with three points. They know their standards can be a lot higher than that.

“That’s a positive to take out of the game. We said after the game that sometimes when you’re not firing on all cylinders you’ve still got to take something from the game.

“I think if we can make that a habit to still pick points up that will be a positive.”

And added: “The tempo of the game, the atmosphere, the intensity, the need for points; you can’t replicate that in pre-season. You can do all the work you want but you can’t get that environment.

“You’re still getting up to speed the first month of the season, every team in the country will be. The boys were pleased. Sometimes it’s good to go through little tricky bits because you learn more.

“It was an eye-opener, a kick up the backside in many areas but we’ll take the points.”