Stags snatch all three points at Newport County

Mansfield Town snatched all three points at Newport County as Kevan Hurst fired in a late winner to hand Adam Murray's men a 3-2 victory on the opening day of their EFL season..

Matt Green and Danny Rose twice put the Stags in front but they were twice pegged back before Hurst’s 93rd-minute strike sealed victory in the South Wales sun.

Murray named four of his nine new signings in the starting XI at Rodney Parade.

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There was no debut for new striker Darius Henderson and defenders Krystian Pearce missed out due to a knee problem.

But, after weathering an early storm from the hosts, Mansfield were ahead in the 12th minute.

Hurst cut in from the byline on the left flank and crossed for Green to head past Exiles goalkeeper Joe Day and into the net.

Green, who played more than 50 games for the hosts between 2005 and 2007, thought he had a second goal shortly afterwards.

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The 29-year-old poked home Malvind Benning’s cross from the right but the flag was up for offside.

And Newport took advantage of that let-off to level on 18 minutes.

Mitchell Rose went flying into a tackle on the edge of the box and Jack Compton curled the free-kick round the wall and beyond Scott Shearer’s dive to make it all square.

Defender George Taft had a half chance to restore the Stags lead but his volley from Hurst’s free-kick was off target.

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And Green went close five minutes before the break after showing great strength to beat Jazzi Barnum-Bobb but his shot was blocked and Day snuffed out the danger.

Danny Rose restored Mansfield’s lead on 66 minutes, showing great feet to turn and fire past Day after being found by skipper Lee Collins.

And Green was denied by a superb save from Day before Joss Labadie poked in a second equaliser for the hosts 12 minutes from time.

That looked to be that but Hurst had other ideas as he curled in a shot from the edge of the area over the goalkeeper.

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Newport County (4-4-2): Day; Butler, Turley, Bennett, Barnum-Bobb; Myrie-Williams (Tozer 71), Labadie, Randall, Compton; Rigg, Jackson.

Subs not used: Bittner, Darren Jones, Bignot, Owen-Evans, Dafydd Jones.

Mansfield Town (4-1-3-2): Shearer; Benning, Collins, Taft, Bennett; Chapman (Howkins 67); Hurst, Clements, M. Rose; D. Rose (Hemmings 78), Green (Hoban 84)

Subs not used: Jensen, Baxendale, Hamilton, McGuire.