Newport County battle it out for a 1-1 draw against York City as County’s unbeaten league run continues.
An early goal from Ollie Pearce gave York the lead, but a stray elbow from Jovan Malcolm caused the Minstermen to be a man down going into half time.
However, Kion Etete managed to grab an equaliser early into the second half to open his account for County, with both teams sharing the points.
The result leaves the Exiles in 11th place as they sit one point away from the playoffs.
Hayden Mullins made two changes to the starting eleven that beat Colchester United as Yahya Bamba and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa replaced Christian Doidge and Michael Adu-Poku.
It only took York three minutes to find an opener, as Pearce was played through into the box by Alex Hunt, and Pearce calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
County’s first real chance came from a Cameron Norman long throw-in that reached Shaquille Gwengwe, but Alfie McNally cleared it away.
Favours were not going County’s way as, after many appealed calls towards the referee, Matt Dibley-Dias would receive a yellow card in the 17th minute following a late challenge.
However, Newport was not shying away from goal as Lee Jenkins connected with the ball at the near post, but his effort found the hands of the goalkeeper.
But halfway through the first half, the Minstermen went down to ten men after Malcolm saw red after a stray elbow caught Jenkins in his own half.
As the timer struck past the 40-minute mark, York hit County with a series of attacks, but defensive stops from Jenkins, Kyle Cameron and Matty Jacob’s prevented York from adding a second.
Moments later, Gwengwe grabbed a golden chance as Norman whipped a cross into the box, with Gwengwe’s header hitting the crossbar, but no one was around to take a second attempt.
Nyakuhwa grabbed the first chance of the second half as a cross was delivered to him in the box, but his volley was unable to find the back of the net.
But with his first touch as a Newport County player, Etete grabbed the equaliser as Nyakuhwa crossed the ball into the box and Etete headed the ball into goal.
As the game reached the 60-minute mark, Newport looked dominant compared to the Minstermen, as they looked threatening on the attack and didn't allow York any breathing room.
Harrison Biggins fancied his chances from just outside the box as he found himself in space, but the ball could not find the target, and a goal kick was awarded to York.
County continued to apply pressure as two consecutive corners were delivered into the York box, but nothing could come of them.
Within the final minutes of normal time, York was awarded a free kick outside the box following a challenge by Etete.
However, the Minstermen couldn't make anything of the opportunity as the game ended level.
Newport County: Wright, Jacob (Smith 46’), Cameron, Jenkins, Norman, Brennan, Dibley-Dias (Etete 52’), Biggins, Nyakuhwa (Garner 76’), Gwengwe (Adu-Poku 89’), Bamba (K. Evans 76’).
Unused substitutes: MacDonald, Sassi, Adu-Poku.
York City: McNally, Fallowfield (Palmer 81’), Kitching, Johnson, Grey (Newby 71’), A. Hunt (Read 71’), Pearce (Maguire 71’), Boyes, Malcolm, Felix (J. Hunt 55’), Banks.
Unused substitutes: Sykes-Kenworthy, King.
Match Officials: Neil Hair (Referee), Jack Clench and Samuel Fudge (Assistant Referees), Sean Rotherwell (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 5281.