MATTY Dolan’ 88th minute penalty saw Newport County come from behind to seal a 2-1 win over Mansfield Town in League Two at Rodney Parade.

Stephen McLaughlin looked like he’d given the visitors victory when he arrowed an unstoppable second-half shot into the net.

Just three days after exiting the Carabao Cup on penalties at the hands of Newcastle United, Newport were left frustrated as they struggled to create clear-cut chances.

But they equalised through Scott Twine after Mansfield substitute Jordan Bowery had produced a poor clearance and there was still time for Dolan to win it.

Newport substitute Padraig Amond crossed towards goal and the ball struck Rollin Menayese. Referee Samuel Alisson judged the ball to have hit Menayese on the hand when he was inside the box, but in truth both calls were marginal.

Newport didn’t care and Dolan stepped up to win it.

Newport beat Mansfield on penalties to reach the League Two play-off final in May 2019 and Mike Flynn made two changes from the side beaten by Newcastle on Wednesday.

Captain Joss Labadie and Ryan Taylor returned in place of Scot Bennett and Amond on a wet afternoon in Newport. Mansfield included former Cardiff City striker Nicky Maynard.

Newport were straight on the front foot with goalkeeper Nick Townsend calmly playing the ball out from the back when under pressure. Mickey Demetriou fired the first shot wide.

Mansfield were reduced to two shots from distance – both could still be travelling – but when Maynard led a breakout, Townsend was forced into action to deny George Maris.

Demetriou then went close again with a deflected effort which required saving.

Newport were neat and tidy as they have become under Flynn, but they struggled for sights of goal as Mansfield defended resolutely and Twine shot from distance.

Labadie also fired wide as Newport turned around with work to do.

Maynard failed to connect with a shot at the start of the second half and Mansfield’s Jamie Reid was denied by an onrushing Townsend.

Brandon Cooper, who missed the crucial penalty against Newcastle in midweek, then cut in on his left foot and forced impressive Mansfield goalkeeper Aiden Stone into another smart stop.

Tristan Abrahams, who had been well marshalled, crossed for strike partner Taylor, but the visitors got back to clear. At the other end Reid shot over and Cooper went close again.

The chances were suddenly coming thick and fast as Townsend was forced into two quick save, Flynn swapped Taylor for Saikou Janneh, and Twine tried his luck.

Mansfield took the lead with a superb strike.

On debut, McLaughlin cut inside from the left and on to his right foot. His shot immediately looked destined for the top corner and so it proved.

It left Newport to chase the game and after Twine had a free-kick saved, the talented midfielder kept his composure and slotted into the bottom corner after Mansfield had failed to clear.

There was still time for more late drama and Newport had Dolan to thank as their unbeaten start to the league season continued.

Newport County (3-5-2): Townsend; Cooper, Dolan, Demetriou; Shephard, Labadie (capt), Sheehan, Twine (Bennett 90), Haynes; Taylor (Janneh 65), Abrahams (Amond 83)

Substitutes not used: King, Baker, Willmott, Ellison

Goals: Twine 78, Dolan 88

Mansfield Town (3-4-3): Stone; Menayese, Rawson, Sweeney; O’Keefe (Cook 90), Clarke (capt) (Smith 84), Maris, Perch, McLaughlin; Maynard (Bowery 80), Reid

Substitutes not used: Campbell, Charsley, O’Driscoll, Benning

Goal: McLaughlin 69

Booked: Perch, O’Keefe, Smith

Referee: Samuel Alisson

Star man: Scott Twine (Newport County)