Newport County’s hopes of retaining Football League status took a dent as two goals in quick succession before the hour from former player Harry McKirdy condemned them to defeat in front of 6,146 at Rodney Parade.
The Exiles’ biggest home gate of the season arrived for Good Friday full of expectation, but left disappointed as the battle for League Two survival intensified, with County undone by a clinical and physical Crawley Town side in a tense, hard-fought contest.
Head coach Christian Fuchs made one change from the side that edged past Shrewsbury Town, with Harrison Biggins returning to the starting line-up in place of Matt Smith.
The visitors, buoyed by their recent win over Gillingham, introduced Harry Forster and Taylor Richards into midfield, while former County forward McKirdy led the line alongside Tobi Adeyemo.
Nerves were evident from the outset in a high-stakes encounter. Ben Lloyd was cautioned early on following a strong challenge, setting the tone for a combative first half that saw six players booked in total.
County had an early warning when McKirdy broke down the right, his dangerous cross flashing across goal with Forster inches away from converting, while Jordan Wright appeared to get a vital touch.
Crawley began to settle and created further openings, with Taylor Richards’ free-kick deflected over before Wright gathered a header from Jay Williams.
Despite the pressure, the Exiles showed moments of quality. Bobby Kamwa, who had earlier seen an effort ruled out for handball, produced a clever turn to beat Adeyemo before setting up Biggins, whose low strike was kept out by a sharp save from Jacob Chapman.
The game remained finely balanced at the break, but County started the second half with intent. Liam Shephard won possession high up the pitch and released Lloyd, whose driven cross just evaded James Crole inside the box.
The decisive moment arrived in the 57th minute. Adeyemo surged forward from right-back and delivered a low ball into the area, where McKirdy was perfectly placed to convert from close range.
Less than two minutes later, the former County man struck again, rising unmarked at the back post to head home and double Crawley’s advantage.
It proved a hammer blow for the Exiles, although there was nearly an instant response. Kamwa raced through on goal shortly after the hour, but his effort deflected wide for a corner.
As the clock ticked down, Ryan Delaney and Kamwa both threatened, with County pushing forward in search of a route back into the game. However, Crawley remained resolute to secure all three points.
The result leaves County still just above the relegation zone, with attention now turning to Monday’s trip to Notts County in another crucial fixture in the fight for survival.
Newport County: Wright; Shephard, Baker (c), Delaney, Davies (Brennan 66), Evans (Opoku 66), Sprangler, Lloyd (Garner 81), Biggins, Kamwa, Crole (Baker-Richardson 66).
Unused substitutes: MacDonald, Thomas, Smith.
Crawley Town: Chapman; Adeyemo (Odimayo 72), Barker, Malone, Richards (Richards 79), T. Richards (Pereira 54), Williams (c), Copley (Anderson 54), Forster, T. Adeyemo, McKirdy (Watson 79).
Unused substitutes: Wollacott.
Attendance: 6,146
