NEWPORT COUNTY AFC

Cheltenham started brightly and put County under some early pressure, just three minutes in there was a goal mouth scramble in front of the County goal, with Jamie Stephens coming out on top gathering the ball. 

Just moments later Shaun Jeffers was up the other end curling his shot past the right hand post and away for a goal kick. But just after the 10 minute mark, Chris Zebroski brought the ball down and turned his man to guide his shot into the bottom left hand corner to give County the lead.

Mark Byrne was close to doubling that advantage just a minute later, placing his shot just over the bar as the score remained 1-0 to County. Shaun Jeffers snap shot was held by Carson. Despite the chances County needed to defend, Regan Poole done well to deflect the ball behind for the first corner of the game. 

The home side continued to put pressure on County as Harry Williams shot from the edge of the box was watched safely over the bar by the County defence. Jamie Stephens was there again just moments later to come off his line and smoother the ball to deny Cheltenham.

Andy Sandell's long throw in was flicked towards goal by Chris Zebroski but Carson was there to ensure the score remained at 1-0. With half hour played Cheltenham had a flurry of chances in front of goal with the ball eventually going behind for a goal kick. 

County keeper Stephens saved again with five minutes remaining, pushing the ball away and for the defence to clear to safety. Klukowski was next to have an attempt for County his effort curling towards the far corner, but just inches wide of the far post.

Into stoppage time and Darren Jones was there to block crucially and ensure the score remained in County's favour. Zack Kotwica fired through a crowded penalty area and away for a goal kick with the last kick of the first half. 

Rene Howe came on as a half time substitute to replace Regan Poole, while almost instantly Chris Zebroski's shot from 30 yards was pushed away by Carson. Adam Chapman was next to try his luck from distance, his effort was deflected past the post and away for a County corner. From the resulting corner Ismail Yakubu header was cleared off the line and away by the Cheltenham defence.

Shaun Jeffers was next to turn in the area and get his shot off, Carson got his body behind the ball and held. Chris Zebroski again shot from distance and held again by Carson. Cheltenham continued to put pressure onto the County defence as Sterling-James shot went wide of the post and behind for a goal kick. 

With three minutes left Jamie Stephens punched clear to take the pressure off County as the clock ticked down. As we entered the 93rd minute County survived a free kick and with a long clearance down field the referee blew his whistle to send the Amber Army wild in the Away end.