It was a resounding feeling of ‘job well done’ after Tuesday night’s hard-fought encounter at Eastbourne’s Priory Lane ground. Admittedly, chances at either end were rather few and far between, but a drab ‘bore-draw’ this was not. Both sides flexed their muscles and huffed and puffed a-plenty, but in the end nothing could separate the resilient Exiles and the unbeaten League leaders.

Both camps seemed happy and ultimately content to share the spoils after ninety minutes of bruising combat that had yielded superb organisation, terrific defending, but precious few chances with sadly no goals. Indeed, a measure of County’s display can be gleaned from the fact that Beadle’s Amber Army are the first side to visit Priory Lane this season and prevent the home side from scoring. Indeed, as the clock ticked towards the ninety minute summit, it was Garry Wilson’s Eastbourne that appeared more preoccupied with preventing their Welsh visitors from spoiling their proud unbeaten record!

Post-match, a happy Peter Beadle explained that “both teams had tried to win the match, but ultimately a draw was the fairest result.” The County gaffer went on to say “we had decent possession for long periods where we were easily the best team – but all in all, it’s a fantastic performance from both the team - and our magnificent fans.”

A lively start from the home side had threatened a very different outcome; just 4 minutes in, the dangerous Scott Ramsay dragged a shot wide when time had afforded him a much better outcome. On 22 minutes, the same player’s near-post header narrowly missed the target as Eastbourne increasingly found themselves in promising positions on the flanks. County’s first real effort on goal wasn’t until the half-hour mark, when Julian Alsop’s headed attempt at the target just cleared the home side’s goal. Five minutes later, Jason Bowen wasted County’s best chance of the half when he screwed a 25-yard shot wide after it had opened up wonderfully for him in front of goal.

Bowen tried to atone for his miss on 43 minutes, but another attempt from range sailed hopelessly over the bar with home ‘keeper, Lee Hook sadly untested. A taught opening to the second period brought nothing but further solid defending and the odd booking or three – not to say that this game wasn’t unravelling into a fascinating contest. It wasn’t until the 63rd minute however that Glyn Thompson in County’s goal was tested again; this time the Exiles’ steady custodian saved an awkward cross-shot from Armstrong, just as the home side were again enjoying a sustained period of intense pressure. Two minutes later, Ramsay shot wide before Borough’s Matt Crabbe repeated the act with a decent half-chance that he may have done better with.

County, superbly marshalled at the back by the dominance of Jarman and Hillier, appeared to be weathering the storm; all the while roared on by their passionate supporters. A great chance presented itself on 72 minutes; Steve Jenkins did superbly down the right and his low cross was met by the marauding Craig Hughes who fired inches past the wrong side of the post. As the substitutes entered the fray, Hughes was pushed wide-left when Charlie Griffin and giant centre-forward Jermaine Clarke replaced Evans and Alsop. It mattered not to County’s ace marksman, as he flashed a hooked-volley agonisingly wide just moment later; Newport were now threatening to take all three points. The introduction of fresh forwards was a clear sign of intent that Peter Beadle felt the game was imminently winnable, but County had to settle for a solitary point after Clarke’s 90th minute header sailed close, but unfortunately not quite close enough.

Retrospectively, it should prove a valuable point gained for an improving County, who, whilst not setting the world alight right now, are proving to be an incredibly hard side to beat – no matter what [or who] the opposition. The simple fact is that County need fear nobody.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

County: Lee Jarman (back to his commanding best)

Eastbourne: Marc Pullen (outstanding centre-back display)

Special Mention: The Amber Army – County’s superb fans who made the five-hour journey on a miserable midweek winter’s night.