Newport County AFC

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Sam Foley

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Newport County 1-0 Mansfield

Newport County eased some of their relegation concerns with a 1-0 victory over Mansfield Town in the Blue Square Bet Premier on Saturday.

Sam Foley's 33rd minute effort proved decisive at Newport Stadium, leaving the Exiles in 16th place on the table with 33 points - five above the drop zone and 16 less than the ninth-placed Stags.

On a wet, uneven surface, Foley had the first chance when he thundered a first-time shot over the cross bar after Luke O'Neill failed to clear a long Adam Chapman throw.

Foley then missed a sitter when he shot wide of the target from six yards out after Nat Jarvis' shot deflected into his path on eight minutes.

The Stags then had an opportunity but Adam Smith headed wide off Gary Roberts's cross from the right.

Foley, who dragged an effort wide on the half-hour, made amends soon after as he drilled the ball past Alan Marriott after running onto Lee Minshull's through ball.

It should have been 2-0 before half-time but Elliott Buchanan struck the outside of the post after being teed up by a Foley cross.

Mansfield boss Paul Cox tried to energise his lacklustre charges after the break with a trio of substitutions. He brought on Paul Edwards, Anthony Howell and Matt Rhead for Adam Smith, Ben Hutchinson and Ross Dyer respectively.

However, it had little effect as Newport continued to threaten via efforts from Chapman, Jarvis, Foley and Minshull.

The visitors had chances to equalise but Adam Murray and Matt Green both scuppered promising situations.

Defeat ended a six match-unbeaten run for the Stags.

Newport bookings: Minshull, Jarvis.

Mansfield bookings: Riley, Dempster, Edwards.

Referee: Tim Robinson

Attendance: 1,285.