Battling County finally found defensive resilience to grab vital reward as they edged forward on that long and winding trail toward League Two solid ground.
Exiles manager Christian Fuchs had spoken about the gifts he had received in his Austrian childhood at Christmas, but this precious Boxing Day point secured in front a 4,000-plus gate at NP19, must gives the Amber Army genuine Yuletide hope of survival.
The Port might have ended their nine-month wait for a home league maximum had Michael Spellman, Cameron Antwi and Tom Davies seen greater fortune during a buoyant first-half display that delighted Fuchs.
Newport might have had a penalty as the break loomed - many deeming Bees midfielder Idris Kanu's challenge deep in the area on Spellman illegal- referee Stephen Parkinson waving away a chorus of penalty appeals.
Yet County were indebted to gloveman Jordan Wright after the hour and some exceptional defending from skipper James Clarke, Joe Thomas, Lee Jenkins and the returning Matt Baker - to nullify a late Bees sting.
The clean sheet, heralded post-match by former Austrian international Fuchs as a "step forward". has narrowed the gap at the section basement - rivals' stumbling, Port now only four points from safety.
There was sweeping alteration to an Exiles side humbled at Colchester six days ago. Baker was installed as a third centre back. Starts too for Irish utility player Ciaran Brennan in a midfield that saw borrowed Leicester youngster Sammy Braybrooke pushed forward to support his Fox's colleague Nathan Opoku and the recalled Spellman. Thomas and Davies filled the right and left wide defensive slots.
The inconsistent Bees made a couple of adjustments to the side that slumped 3-1 to Salford city at Underhill last Saturday - attack-minded Lee Ndlovu and ex-Sutton man Joe Kizzi making a rare appearance, 33-year-old former Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga notching a 437th pro game.
The bright sunshine that splashed across the Rodney Parade turf did little to warm an afternoon chilled by a cutting Artic gust. Advancing County were injecting heat into the proceedings with some sharp football, carving out an opportunity on nine minutes.
Brakebrooke's ball dissected a square Barnet rear guard, Spellman rounding hesitant Cieran Slicker, but then seeing his left-footed scrambled clear.
A superb Baker, Spellman, Thomas move on 17 minutes sparked mayhem in the Bees hive, a spinning Antwi blast blocked in the bedlam by Nikola Tavares.
A Jenkins header then sailed over, the north London visitors almost wilting again - Davies' blistering 18-yard snap shot whistling fractionally wide with a flying Slicker well beaten.
Official Parkinson incurred home wrath three minutes before the break - waving away piercing penalty screams as a Kanu lunge pole-axed Spellman in the area..
Even though this was an intense County performance, their three centre halves led by majestic skipper Clarke, needed to be vigilant as Kizzi's slide pass was wastefully lifted over the bar by Danny Collinge.
Yet the Bees were buzzing around County territory during the early second-half moments. Kanu skewed an effort - keeper Wright excelling twice to beat back efforts from Nnamdi Ofoborth.
County rang the changes as they desperately searched for victory. Manager Fuchs switched to a back four with linkman Matt Smith replacing Clarke, Courtney Baker-Richardson, Ben Lloyd and Liam Shephard into the fray for Antwi, Spellman and Davies.
Bobby Kamwa then replaced the limping Opoku. Tension increased as the clock ticked down. Barnet substitute Dennis Adeniran so nearly touched in Stead's angled delivery. But Port were staying firm, with Jenkins, Baker and Thomas magnificent in defence, impressive midfielder Brennan cautioned for a foul in the final moments.
Newport County [3-5-2]
Jordan Wright
Joe Thomas
Lee Jenkins
James Clarke [C]
Matt Baker
Tom Davies
Ciaran Brennan
Cameron Antwi
Sammy Braybrooke
Nathan Opoku
Michael Spellman
Subs
Nik Tzanev [GK]
Anthony Glennon
Bobby Kamwa for Opoku 85 mins
Matt Smith for Clarke 72 mins
Courtney Baker-Richardson for Antwi 72 mins
Liam Shephard for Davies 65 mins
Ben Lloyd for Spellman 72 mins
Barnet [4-1-4-1]
Cieran Slicker
Adam Senior
Danny Collinge
Nikola Tavares
Idris Kanu
Nnamdi Ofoborh
Lee Ndlovu
Mark Shelton
Joe Kizzi
Ryan Glover
Britt Assombalonga
Subs
Owen Evans [GK]
Oliver Hawkins for Ndlovu 73 mins
Joe Hugill
Callum Stead for Assombalonga 63 mins
Romoney Crichlow-Noble
Dennis Adeniran for Kanu 63 mins
Ben Winterburn
Referee: Stephen Parkinson
Officials: Thomas Harty & Ollie Williams
Fourth Official: Stuart Kane
Attendance 4219 [165 ]
