There was no indication of the anxiety which was to follow though as County looked at least a league apart from Weston, which they will be anyway next season, and raced into a three goal lead inside 24 minutes.  The merest mention of the seaside resort has been known to induce panic attacks in County fans over the years because they believe it to be ordained that the club can never win there.  Surely this start guaranteed that the hoodoo was to be well and truly laid to rest!  Well, it is never quite as straightforward as that where Newport County are concerned.

 

Julian Alsop forced a good save from Ryan Northmore who tipped the big man’s header over the bar in the third minute, though the award of a goal-kick by referee Simon Knapp provided the first hint that the Bristol official did not necessarily have 20/20 vision.  In the sixth minute the towering Alsop soared above the Seagulls to head Jason Bowen’s cross back across goal for CRAIG HUGHES to take his tally for the season to 26.

 

County had breathing space in the 13th minute following a slack piece of defending from STEPHEN REED who really should have been able to clear a cross from the recalled Richard Evans but headed it with apparent conviction past the bemused Northmore.  It was by now one way traffic towards the home goal and County retained possession with ease, so much so that it looked a matter of time before goal number three arrived.  Steve Jenkins provided the cross for it and big JULES did the rest with a header that Northmore could not keep out.

 

It was almost four in the 26th minute as Hughes tried his luck from 25 yards, but Northmore punched his shot away, and then Jenkins, who suffered a calf strain, had to make way for Stewart Edwards at right-back in the 34th minute.  MARC McGREGOR reduced the arrears in the 36th minute with a speculative volley from outside the area that gave Jacob Giles no chance but there was little concern from the vast majority of the crowd because County could not let it slip from this position despite the fatigue from playing practically every other day for the past couple of weeks.  Well, that was the theory anyway.

 

The second half began with Damon Searle almost heading an own goal as he received no communication from Giles and County became increasingly nervous as, to their credit, relegated Weston were looking a much better side than their record suggested.  The dangerous LEON HAPGOOD timed his forward run to perfection in the 50th minute and his finish was equally good, and there was no surprise when McGREGOR headed his second to level the scores two minutes later.

 

Nathan Davies, who has been playing though not fully fit, had to go off in the 57th minute and, with Hughes dropping into midfield to accommodate striker Kyle Bassett in the 4-4-2 formation, County looked disjointed and unable to retain possession.  In contrast Weston looked up for the challenge and capable of scoring a winner.  Hapgood should have headed them in front in the 64th minute but missed the target while Andy Gurney and McGregor both tested Giles with headers to which the keeper was equal.

 

County did stem the home tide of attacks which was threatening to submerge them and Searle drew a fantastic save from Northmore from an 81st minute free-kick awarded for a foul by the combative Gurney as Bowen surged forward.  Temperatures were raised as Gurney, who rejected the chance to join County to sign for Weston, showed petulance and was deservedly cautioned.  Ian Hillier was just wide with a header before Bassett was the next into the notebook for a nasty challenge on Hapgood.

 

With three minutes remaining, Beads opted for the fresh legs of Sam O’Sullivan to replace Evans who had made a worthy return to first team action and the rest, as they say, is now history.  McGregor had another chance to net his hat-trick but Giles again saved his header and the game looked up for County when John Brough pulled McGregor back 20 yards from goal.  Mr Knapp and his assistants were probably among the few present to miss the incident and then, deep into stoppage time, Searle’s determination won possession for County down the left. 

 

O’SULLIVAN gathered the ball and dribbled it along the by-line before cutting inside and firing a shot that Northwood could only block with his legs and as the sphere spun upwards Sam managed to get a head on it to force it into the net and spark an outbreak of mass delirium behind the goal.  Mr Knapp gave further evidence to support the view that officials are really aliens from another planet by cautioning O’Sullivan for his goal celebrations, and if, strictly speaking he was correct, then football law makers are miserable killjoys who should follow their true vocations as traffic wardens.

 

There was less than a minute further played before Mr Knapp, who had, to be fair, controlled the match very well, ended proceedings and both sides can be proud of their contributions to a thrilling game of football.  The County following was truly inspirational and the celebrations continued with fans and players long after the final whistle.  Weston can, on the quality they displayed in the last 65 minutes of this game, gain immense satisfaction from their performance, and we wish them well as they try to make an immediate return to this level of football, while County dug deep and found reserves of stamina and determination that won the points.  They only have to provide a repeat to make the play-offs two days later when Newport Stadium should be packed for the visit of Cambridge City.

 

Line-ups:

Weston: Northmore, Bailey, Reed, Gurney, Rand, Robertson, Loxton, Chapman, Hopkins, McGregor, Hapgood (Owers 90).  Subs not used: Hudson, Johnson, Kilgour, Purnell.

 

County: Giles, Jenkins (Edwards 28), Searle, Davies (Bassett 57), Brough, Hillier, Bowen, Collier, Alsop, Hughes, Evans (O’Sullivan 87).  Subs not used: Holdsworth, Ovendale.

 

Scorers:

Weston:  McGregor 2 (36, 52), Hapgood (50).

County: Hughes (6), Reed (13 og), Alsop (24), O’Sullivan (90+2).

 

Cautions:             

Weston: McGregor (17), Gurney (80).

County:  Bassett (86), O’Sullivan (90+3).

 

Man of the Match:

Weston:  Marc McGregor.

County:  Julian Alsop.

 

Officials:

Referee:  Simon Knapp (Bristol).

Assistants:Gary Childs, Chris Brokenshaw.

 

Attendance:  685.

 

Match rating: 5/5.