Newport County and Anthony Glennon marked Christian Fuchs’ first home game in charge with an attacking display, but were denied a first home league win of the season as Barrow struck late to earn a draw at Rodney Parade.
Goals from Glennon and Courtney Baker-Richardson had Newport County on course for all three points, but Ben Whitfield and Scott Smith replied for the visitors to leave the hosts frustrated despite an encouraging performance.
Fuchs made a tactical adjustment for his first home fixture, with Cameron Evans moving to right-back, while Cameron Antwi returned to the starting line-up and Michael Spellman operated in a wide attacking role.
Newport County started brightly, with Bobby Kamwa causing early problems down the flank. The winger’s pace stretched the Barrow defence, while Sammy Braybrooke and Evans supplied a series of accurate passes to keep the visitors under pressure.
The hosts created a number of openings, with Gerard Garner threading a fine pass through for Spellman, whose effort was denied by Ben Winterbottom.
The breakthrough arrived on 38 minutes. After Braybrooke was fouled on the edge of the area, Anthony Glennon stepped up to curl a precise left-footed free-kick beyond Winterbottom to open the scoring.
Newport County’s lead was short-lived, however, as Barrow responded just before the break. A long ball forward caught the hosts off guard and Ben Whitfield finished from an angle to level the contest.
The hosts continued to push after the restart and regained the lead just after the hour mark. Braybrooke combined well in midfield before finding Courtney Baker-Richardson, who struck a firm right-footed finish past Winterbottom to make it 2-1.
Newport County looked the more likely to add a third, with Kamwa again testing the Barrow defence, while Glennon’s movement created further space in attacking areas.
Barrow remained a threat and Jordan Wright was called into action to deal with a rising effort from substitute Connor Mahoney.
The visitors found their equaliser seven minutes from time when Scott Smith rose unmarked to head home from close range.
Newport County continued to press in the closing stages, with appeals for penalties involving Garner and substitute Nathan Opoku waved away, but were unable to find a late winner.
Despite the result, there were clear signs of progress under Christian Fuchs, with an attacking approach and energy that will give Newport County encouragement moving forward.
Newport County
Jordan Wright; Cameron Evans, Lee Jenkins (captain), Akin Odimayo, Anthony Glennon; Bobby Kamwa, Cameron Antwi, Sammy Braybrooke, Michael Spellman (Ben Lloyd 68); Courtney Baker-Richardson (Nathaniel Opoku 75), Gerard Garner
Substitutes (unused): Nick Tzanev, Habeeb Ogunneye, Kai Whitmore, Ciaran Brennan, Moses Alexander-Walker
Barrow
Ben Winterbottom; Niall Canavan (captain), Charlie Raglan, MJ Williams; Elliott Newby (Tom Barkhuizen 64), Charlie McCann, Rekeem Harper (Connor Mahoney 76), Ben Whitfield; Scott Smith, Isaac Fletcher (Jack Earing 65); Kane Hemmings (Mike Adu-Poku 68)
Substitutes (unused): David Worrall, Tom Barkhuizen (if not used above adjust), unnamed
Match officials
Referee | Carl Brook
Assistants | Marcus Carmichael, Daniel D’Urso
Fourth official | Samuel Fudge
Attendance
3,624 (82 away supporters)
