County were forced to reshuffle the defence with both Damon Searle and captain John Brough failing fitness tests. New signing Steve Jenkins wore the captain's armband on his debut and Academy product Shane Brewer made his debut at left back.     

An uneventful first half burst into life with four goals in the final nine minutes. Neil Lampton had come closest to opening the scoring for the visitors with two headers in the early minutes, and Craig Hughes for County with a long shot which flashed wide of the post, before the game became a midfield battle and a stalemate.

County’s increasing pressure lead to the first goal on 36 minutes. Craig Hughes collected a low cross from Jason Bowen and turned left and then right before shooting home from the centre of the box. Matt Gray had been causing the makeshift home defence problems with his persistent running down the right flank and from his precise cross Bashir Alimi turned the ball in from close range only a minute later.

County restored their advantage within two minutes. Lee Collier was brought down by keeper Luke Naughton having been put through by Hughes and Jason Bowen scored from the spot with his trademark nonchalant style. Referee Stuart Birt only showed Naughton a yellow card much to the disgust of the home crowd; the keeper having been the last man with Collier clean through on goal. Craig Hughes scored his second in the final minute of the half, making no mistake in stroking the loose ball across Naughton and into the net from 12 yards after strike partner Julian Alsop’s run had been checked.        

The second half deteriorated with the stormy weather and the away attack was comfortably contained by the home defence. Although County could not turn their possession and dominance into further goals they coasted home to collect the three points in their push for promotion.

Craig Hughes curled a free kick onto the bar and Matt Green and Sam O’Sullivan both spurned one on one chances with Naughton as County sought to increase their goal difference in the table with the game won. From a Richard Evans cross Jason Bowen headed back across goal but neither Hughes nor Green could connect with the inviting ball. Crowd favourite 'Guppy' Hughes was denied his first County hat-trick in the final minute when his close range shot was blocked by the last defender.     

County face a long trip to Tonbridge Angels for a crucial F A Cup tie next week in the knowledge that they will not be in league action again until 11 November at the earliest.

Line Ups:

County: Ovendale, Jenkins (C), Brewer, Davies, Cochlin, Hillier, Bowen (Toghill 90), Collier, Alsop (Green 66), Hughes, O’Sullivan (Evans 83) Subs Not Used: Hearne, Blackburn

Sutton United: Naughton, Palmer (C), Reeves, Scarborough, Lampton, Akuamoah (Johnson 25), Gray, Honey (Harris 66), Ide (Henry 80), Gaynor, Alimi Subs Not Used: Clayton, Maan

Goals:

County: Hughes (36 and 45) and Bowen (42 pen)  

Sutton United: Alimi (40)

Cautions:

Newport: Evans (ungentlemanly conduct)

Sutton United: Honey (ungentlemanly conduct), Naughton (foul)

Attendance: 821

Conditions: Heavy rain and high winds

Officials:

Referee: Stuart Burt (Northampton)

Assistants: Kevin Morris (Hereford) and Alan Bird (Hullavington)

Man of the Match:

Official County Man of the Match: Craig Hughes

Reporter's County Man of the Match: Craig Hughes

Reporter's Sutton Man of the Match: Matt Gray

Match Rating: