Newport County had to settle for a point at second-placed Chelmsford on Saturday.
The result reflected a game of high-billing which completely failed to live up to expectations, with County rather toothless in attack but solid enough to claim a welcome clean sheet and maintain a 14-match unbeaten run.
It was the first time in six matches that the Exiles hadn’t conceded and they were made to work for the clean sheet, Jamie Collins clearing off the line after a mistake in midfield had created an opportunity for Simon Thomas.
Thomas, on-loan from Crystal Palace, should have given the home side the lead when he missed a glorious headed opportunity from less than six yards out. A looped cross found him unmarked at the back post but he placed his effort wide of Glyn Thompson’s goal.
Then came a remarkable County survival as Thomas rounded Thompson only to see a sliding save from Paul Cochlin on the goal line, a second effort was even more dramatically kept out by Cochlin lying on the ground before the chance of the season fell to Anthony Cook, who, five yards out, thrashed a shot against the crossbar and out for a goal kick. A truly unbelievable miss.
The Exiles looked a shadow of the team that had produced some wonderful attacking football in recent weeks and failed to fashion any decent chances, but they will be content with a point that maintains their huge advantage at the top of the Blue Square South.
By Alex Winter
Alex is a journalism student and edits the Gloucestershire cricket blog, The Shire Blog
