Christian Fuchs might well be still waiting for his first County win seven games into his tenure, but the 78-times capped former Austrian international captain proclaimed a clean-sheet and the point gained from this intense home Boxing Day clash with Barnet as " A major step forward!"
The Exiles' committed defensive performance with slipper James Clarke majestic amongst his two other centre backs - Lee Jenkins and Matt Baker - could have been a platform for all three vital points.
With right wing back JoeThomas roving magnificently up the right and Tom Davies so impressive on the opposite flank, a flurry of first-half opportunities had the battered Bees on a rack - Michael Spellman, Cameron Antwi and Davies himself so unlucky not to smash the deadlock.
County were grateful to some terrific defensive covering after the break - and goalkeeper Jordan Wright's vigilance, but this Boxing Day encounter played out in front of a near 4,300 Rodney Parade gate, had Fuchs purring.
Not even the loud penalty appeal waved away by referee Stephen Parkinson on 42 minutes after Idris Kanu had appeared to have clipped Spellman in the box could puncture Fuchs' joy.
He said, "I honestly didn't see it that clearly. But the position we are in at the moment perhaps we are not favoured with such things.
" But I consider this result as a major stepping stone forward. The boys showed great character out there. Everyone of them played for each other, there was such a great spirit shown by all of them.
"Barnet will feel they did well to come away with a point. The first half could have seen us one-nil or two-nil up. Even when they [Barnet] attacked us I wasn't concerned. we showed resilience and challenged for every ball.
"We kept a clean sheet through a lot of hard work.
"Today was about energy and a desire to be brave. We defended when we needed to and came forward with some clean passes in transition. I though Antwi linked things together really well."
Experienced right back Liam Shephard, centre half Matt Baker, Thomas and central midfielder Matt Smith, a 19-times capped Wales international are all fit again and available for selection going forward, strengthening the Port hand.
County have targets in the January window which opens next week, Fuchs responded, "We are looking at a couple of options to push us forward and freshened us up."
Fuchs was tight-lipped with regard borrowed Leicester schemer Sammy Braybrooke extending his time at Newport beyond next Monday's date with Crewe at NP19, though, saying, "Nothing to report. Not much moving at the moment there."
Fuchs, though, expects to see another charged performance when Newport entertain the Alexandra on December 29.
He said, "We move forward step by step. The boys can't wait for the Crewe match now. I couldn't be prouder of them all tonight."
