Scott Boden's late strike snatches points for Newport
Scott Boden's 86th-minute goal clinched a shock 1-0 win for Newport over promotion-chasing Mansfield.
Boden latched on to Darren Jones' deflected long-range effort before turning and firing home his fifth goal in four games.
The win lifted Newport another place from the relegation zone while defeat saw Mansfield drop out of the play-off places.
Both teams arrived at Rodney Parade in good form after just one defeat in their last six.
But both struggled with a pitch that was covered with 40 tonnes of sand in midweek to deal with the demands of hosting both football and rugby union matches.
Newport came to terms with the surface quickest and twice went close in the first half.
Conor Wilkinson brought a fine reflex save from Scott Shearer and Newport skipper Mark Byrne saw his curling effort drift narrowly wide.
Mansfield grew into the game and top scorer Matt Green, earlier booked, struck the post from the edge of the box.
Ryan Tafazolli then saw his headed effort ruled out for offside shortly after the break.
But Newport dominated the second half as Medy Elito had an effort cleared off the line before Boden struck late.
Source: PA
