Newport County AFC battled to a 2-0 victory against league leaders Swindon Town at Rodney Parade, completing the league double over the table-toppers.
Goals from Josh Sheehan and Jamille Matt saw the Exiles through to the win, continuing their good form and marking their third victory in a row, in all competitions.
County took the lead in the very first minute, with a goal from Josh Sheehan. New signing Ashley Baker played a looped pass into Jamille Matt, who won the knock-on towards Sheehan who poked home from close range for his second goal of the season.
The rest of the first half was an even affair, with each team having spells of possession. However it was County who had the best chances.
Tristan Abrahams did well to turn in the box and fire a shot at goal, but it was blocked well by the Swindon defence. This was before Ryan Inniss hit the post with a headed effort from a cross.
The Robins’ best moments came through Lloyd Isgrove and Anthony Grant. Isgrove was proving to be dangerous down the right, while Grant was patrolling the midfield well.
No clear-cut chances and no real saves for either keeper to make meant the score stayed 1-0 at the break.
The second half started much like the first, but it took County four minutes after the restart to score this time. The ball pinballed around the goalmouth and after a scramble across the line, Jamille Matt was on hand to smash past Steven Benda in the Swindon net into the top corner.
Swindon, now chasing the game, began to create more dangerous situations. Debutant Rarmani Edmunds-Green gave County keeper Tom King a heart-in-mouth moment, however his shot whistled just past the post.
King was called into action again soon after, when Kayne Woolery was played through. King got off his line well to thwart Woolery and preserve County’s clean sheet.
That lead was nearly added to by captain Joss Labadie, who showed blistering pace to break into the Swindon box from his own half. Again, however, Benda was on hand to keep Labadie out.
The final stages of the match saw all four of County’s new signings on the pitch at the same time. Jordan Green, Dale Gorman and Billy Waters were all introduced late on to join Ashley Baker for their first Rodney Parade appearances.
County can now look forward to their Leasing.Com Trophy quarter-final with Leicester City U21s on Tuesday, again at Rodney Parade. Buy tickets online here.