Cox questions ref decision

Mansfield boss Paul Cox questioned some of the refereeing decisions during his side's 1-1 draw with fellow newcomers Newport.

Chris Zebroski gave County a first-half lead before Sam Clucas levelled things up in a second half which saw both sides 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. Cox, who felt his side might have done enough to sneak a victory, said: "It was a competitive game but some of the decisions made by the referee were surprising to say the least. Many free-kicks were not fouls. "We have mixed feelings about the result. People say Newport are a bogey side because we lost twice to them last season so before the game we would have been happy with a draw here. But given the chances we had in the first half, we should have had more. "It was strange to be a goal down at half time but we made changes in the second-half and no-one could deny we deserved a goal. "A point here is good but we could have done better. We missed a few chances but you have to give their goalkeeper credit for some fine saves."