Boss Graham Coughlan delighted with crucial revenge win over Newport County

Danny Rose's goal in appalling conditions proved enough against a Newport side without a goal in 416 EFL minutes and opened the gap to bottom-placed Stevenage to 13 points.

“It was a real big win for us,” said Coughlan.

READ THE FULL MATCH REPORT

“We deserve better than the results we've been getting. We have been controlling games and just had one or two mad moments that have been hurting us.

“Today we showed what we are capable of. But I don't want to get too excited. We got excited after the Bradford game. But I want us to build on this and win the next game.”

Stags had to survive a late spell of pressure in the powerful wind and Coughlan said: “We knew it was going to be like that with the weather and you have to take the opposition into account as well. We knew they were going to chuck the kitchen sink at us.

“It wasn't the conditions to be playing nice, pretty football.”

The win also provided revenge for Stags after losing to Newport in last season's play-off semi-finals.

“It was nice to fix and correct that result from last year's play-offs,” said Coughlan.

“Newport stopped this club progressing and having a day out at Wembley.

“I made sure the players knew that over the last few days and they played with a lot of heart, character and determination.

“Every one of them stood up to be counted.”

He added: “This club has taken a bit of a battering for the last 12 months but we are still getting big crowds cheering us on.

“They lifted the team at the end. They knew how important it was and a massive pat on the back to them. They have been different class.

“We thoroughly deserved that result today. We knew the importance of it.

“Now let's settle down and work hard on the training ground towards the next game.”

Newport boss Michael Flynn said: “Today I think the better team lost.

“In the first half we played some really good football and we've lost the game to an error.

“Danny Rose got a free shot just inside the box and it's killed us.

“With all the injuries we've got, that group of players worked their socks off for us and put in a shift.”