New Exiles boss Christian Fuchs' "back to basics" no frills mantra underwrote a much-improved sharp County display which was only blemished by a couple of Barrow sucker-punches.
A curling free-kick from left-back Anthony Glennon and Courtney Baker-Richardson's rocket finish either side of the break should have yielded reviving County a first Rodney Parade League Two victory in 14 attempts stretching back to mid-March, that's 259 days.
Defensive fragility allowed the Bluebirds' Ben Whitfield and Scott Smith to rob Newport of a deserved win - not that this was every going to deflate former Austrian international skipper Fuchs, who insisted, "This is a new beginning!
"What you saw out there was a side full of quality in possession. The boys were fighting for headers and second balls. We have discovered a fresh belief. This is a massive step forward from what I saw in the second half at Oldham seven days ago.
"We [Mark Smith] and myself have had a full week to work with the players. I think you saw the net result of that today. As time goes on we will continue to improve. I do not want opponents to enjoy playing against my team.
"When we came in the boys were low on confidence, but this is a fresh start, we will get a lot better as the boys start to believe in themselves more
"Our fans showed the strength of their support for the team. It has been hard for them, but we need them now more than ever, I am sure they will stick with us!"
Fuchs rightly believes County could have been awarded two second half penalties - referee Carl Brook waving away ferocious appeals from Gerard Garner, after a Barrow defender had clearly handled in the area, substitute Nathan Opoku upended in the box on 89 minutes by his marker.
He reflected, "We were exciting, throughout and could have got two penalties. We didn't get them, so we move on."
Fuchs will now prime his warriors for County's televised FA Cup Second Round tie at National Conference Boreham Wood a week tomorrow [Sunday] 14.30.
He said, "The fans saw a starting point today. The boys will now have two days off, then we'll return to training next Tuesday prepare for our FA Cup game."