TEN-MAN Newport County AFC were once again left to rue refereeing decisions going against them as they went down to defeat at Mansfield Town.

Just like at Cambridge United last week, they led through Ryan Bird before having a man sent off and losing as a result of a controversial penalty.

Jaanai Gordon picked up two yellow cards in just two second half minutes and Craig Reid was penalised for handball in the box 15 minutes from the end to leave the Exiles still six points from safety at the bottom of League Two.

And it makes next week’s home clash with 23rd-place Leyton Orient a must-win encounter for Graham Westley’s men.

The team sheet showed two changes from the midweek draw with Morecambe with Darren Jones and Jaanai Gordon replacing David Pipe and Aaron Williams.

But the County defence was subject to another last-minute reshuffle as Scot Bennett took to the field in place of Mark O’Brien.

The Exiles attack was ready to go from the off, however, and they were ahead in the fifth minute.

Dan Butler’s cross from the left really should have been bundled in by Gordon from a few yards out but they were queuing up at the far post and Bird was on hand to tap in his third goal in three games.

The striker could have had his second of the game 10 minutes later from the same combination as Butler’s cross was headed on by Gordon but Bird’s volley was deflected behind.

And a minute later the hosts were level as Joel Byrom’s free-kick found defender Krystian Pearce unmarked in the box and he poked the ball past Joe Day.

The Exiles goalkeeper saved from Rhys Bennett and Jamie McGuire and then rushed out to deny Pat Hoban before Mickey Demetrio cleared the striker’s second effort off the line.

The Stags were growing in confidence and County’s cause was not helped as Michael Flynn was forced off with an injury and replaced by Paul Bignot.

But as they reorganised once again at the back they still looked a threat on the break and Bird had two more chances before half-time.

The first came from Gordon charging down a clearance from Mansfield goalkeeper Jake Kean.

The ball broke nicely for Bird but his stabbed effort was blocked and Gordon was flagged offside as he tried to score from the rebound.

And just before the interval Gordon flicked on another Butler cross and Bird let fly with a half volley that was on target before it clipped the defender’s heels and deflected wide.

County will have been relatively happy at the break and they looked to be on their way to a point before a remarkable turn of events midway through the second half.

Westley was about to replace Gordon with Aaron Williams but changed his mind after the fourth official had put the numbers up on his board.

Within five minutes Gordon was off after picking up two yellow cards.

And that wasn’t the end of the bad luck for County as the Stags’ winner came from a controversial penalty on 76 minutes.

Craig Reid charged out to block a Shaquile Coulthirst shot and the ball hit his hand.

The referee hesitated before pointing to the spot and Coulthirst beat Day high to his right.

Bird almost rescued a point at the death but he lifted his shot onto the top of the net and County were beaten again.

County: Day; Jones, Bennett, Demetriou; Samuel, Flynn (Bignot, 27, Sheehan, 79), Rose, Butler; Reid (Jackson, 85), Bird, Gordon

Subs not used: Bittner, Owen-Evans, Williams

Referee: Ross Joyce

Attendance: 3,824

Argus star man: Bird