Saturday 7 September 2013 20:22, UK
Newport boss Justin Edinburgh felt his players forgot their footballing principles in a 1-1 draw at home to Mansfield.
Chris Zebroski gave the Welsh side a first-half lead before Sam Clucas levelled things up in a second half which saw both teams reduced to 10 men, with Lee Minshull sent off for the hosts after 76 minutes and Matt Rhead dismissed for the Stags shortly afterwards. A niggly encounter saw four more players booked with referee Dave Phillips showing his first yellow card after just seven minutes. Edinburgh thought Newport, who beat Mansfield twice in the Conference last season, got drawn into a physical battle by the visitors and abandoned the way they usually play football. "I can't criticise the way our players competed but we can do a lot better with the ball. That's probably the worst we have played all season," said Edinburgh. "Our players got caught up in the physical side of the game and didn't play our style. Both teams were trying to win the game but we took our eye off what we do best and that is with the ball on the ground. "It was great to see Chris Zebroski get another goal but we are disappointed with the result. However, we are still unbeaten at home and that can take us forward."