NEWPORT County AFC picked up a precious point on the road in League Two after surviving a Notts County hammering at Meadow Lane.
The Exiles were put under serious pressure in the East Midlands but despite a shot count of 26-7 Nelson Jardim’s men recorded a second goalless draw on the bounce.
Unlike the recent home games against Fleetwood and Grimsby, this was very much a point gained rather than two lost.
Notts had the better of the first half without carving Newport, who largely defended with discipline and held their shape, open.
The Exiles could have done better on the counter-attack with more quality on the ball but the second half was a different story.
The Magpies piled on the pressure but failed to take their chances, with Nick Townsend producing some fine saves when needed.
That ensured that the Exiles unexpectedly added to their total on a cold afternoon when most had expected a thrashing against promotion contenders.
They now enjoy a rare weekend off because of their FA Cup disappointment before attempting to repeat the trick at AFC Wimbledon.
Head coach Jardim made two enforced changes from the goalless draw with Grimsby after Aaron Wildig’s season-ending knee injury and wing Bobby Kamwa’s hamstring strain.
Oliver Greaves and Michael Spellman came in on the flanks with Kieron Evans shifted into a central role alongside Bryn Morris and Kai Whitmore.
The bench included recent signing Geoffroy Bony and fellow forward Luke Jephcott, who came in from the cold on a freezing afternoon in the East Midlands.
Notts were boosted by the return of prolific striker Alessana Jatta from international duty with Gambia but were still without the influential Jodi Jones and Danny Crowley.
Nonetheless, the Magpies were quickly into their stride and had a half-chance in the third minute when Nick Tsaroulla had a shot deflected over the bar from the right.
The Exiles settled and kept their discipline and shape against their hosts, ensuring the ball was largely popped around in the middle third.
Newport had a minor claim for a penalty in the 14th minute when Kyle Hudlin went down in the box claiming a shirt pull by Matty Platt but referee Adam Herczeg correctly gave nothing.
The Exiles were defending well and it was very much a team effort; an opening for Lewis Macari inside the box in the 27th minute led to his shot being blocked by the head of striker Hudlin.
The visitors had their first shot of note in the 33rd minute on the counter but Hudlin’s curled effort from outside the box was easily claimed by Alex Bass.
That was swiftly followed by a big opportunity at the other end when George Abbott got in down the right but his cross just eluded Jatta.
Notts had a good spell with a chance for Jevani Brown followed by a goalmouth scramble, centre-back Lucas Ness heading over and David McGoldrick firing straight at Townsend when he should have done better inside the box.
The half finished with Bass having an easy save from a deflected Morris strike after a good burst (and excellent advantage by the ref) down the right by Whitmore, then a strong diving stop by Townsend after Morris had given the ball away and Abbott shot from distance.
Notts had the first chance of the second half when Jatta headed a cross from the left over then a terrible touch by Hudlin gave McGoldrick a shooting chance from distance but thankfully he drilled it straight at Townsend.
There was then the biggest escape of the afternoon when a corner was flicked on by Macari but the ball glanced off the Exiles’ bar and to safety.
The pressure was mounting and it felt inevitable that an opener would come, with Jardim attempting to change the story with a pair of subs.
Cameron Antwi came on in midfield for Morris, who had been a fitness doubt for the game, and Courtney Baker-Richardson replaced ineffective Hudlin up top.
Newport couldn’t get a foothold and Townsend had to tip over from a fierce Sam Austin drive approaching the hour.
Another double change was made with the introduction of Joe Thomas and the lesser spotted Jephcott for Spellman and Whitmore.
Still the Magpies kept coming and Townsend spread himself superbly to block from McGoldrick after the ball fell to the veteran inside the box from a corner.
It somehow remained goalless with quarter of an hour to go with the Exiles in sight of an unlikely point, or more if the hosts played themselves into trouble at the back.
Bony was introduced for a debut with nine minutes to go, bringing fresh legs to a weary side, but that was followed by another chance at the other end when Cedwyn Scott headed straight at Townsend.
County chances for a smash and grab on the counter attack but Baker-Richardson’s shot was deflected wide and then Antwi was a yard wide with an effort from distance after doing well on the turn.
Instead of an undeserved maximum haul the Exiles were able to toast a hard-earned point after frustrating a Magpies side likely to be in the promotion mix.
County: Townsend, C Evans, Brennan, Baker, McLoughlin (captain), Morris (Antwi 54), K Evans, Greaves (Bony 80), Whitmore (Jephcott 61), Spellman (Thomas 61), Hudlin (Baker-Richardson 54).
Substitutes not used: Carney, Clarke.
Yellow: K Evans, C Evans.
Referee: Adam Herczeg.
Attendance: 9,408 (306 Exiles).
