Newport County were held to a 1-1 draw at Bath City on Saturday.
It is only the second time County have dropped points since the middle of September, but Bath provided a severe test for the league leaders and took an early lead through Sido Jombati before Craig Reid’s penalty earned a point for the Exiles.
Despite failing to secure a seventh successive victory, Newport will be pleased to have gained a positive result at in-form Bath, who were bitterly disappointed to bow out of the FA Cup to Forest Green Rovers last weekend.
Both goals came in a lively opening period. In the 14th minute, an excellent floated corner from Lewis Hogg was headed home by Jombati from close range; Hogg especially pleased to have a hand in the goal after his controversial comments last week.
But County soon replied. Sam Foley collected a pass from Ashton Holgate and wormed into the penalty area, before he was carved down by the lunging defender Chris Holland. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Reid stepped up to end his goal drought – not without slight good fortune as the bath keeper got a firm hand onto his spot kick but could only push it into the right-hand side-netting.
An entertaining first-half saw both teams willing to shoot from distance, but neither could get any real penetration. After the break, the game rather petered out. Neither side put together any football of note and the draw was a fair result.
Dean Holdsworth said he was annoyed at the wasted opportunity to secure another three points, but County can atone on Wednesday night when they host Thurrock at Spytty Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
Fifth-placed Thurrock pose another stern test for the Exiles but, back in south Wales, County will be confident of pulling further ahead at the top of Blue Square South and with none of their rivals in action, Newport’s lead could stretch to ten points with a success on Wednesday evening.
By Alex Winter
Alex is a journalism student and edits Gloucestershire cricket blog, The Shire Blog
