Newport County ended one of the great seasons in their history by breaking the Blue Square South points record on Saturday.
Early goals from Jamie Collins and Paul Cochlin helped the Exiles to a 2-1 win at Braintree Town.
Such has been their dominance in the league that Newport fans have been enjoying a promotion party for some time now and a vast travelling support made the trip to watch County enter the record books.
It took just seven minutes for the champions to take the lead. Danny Rose swung in a left-footed free-kick and Collins produced a delightful flicked header that nestled into the bottom-right corner.
Four minutes later and Newport were on their way to the record as a set-piece again did the damage. Kerry Morgan whipped in a perfect cross to the far post which Cochlin attacked and powered home past the Braintree goalkeeper.
Cochlin went straight from that high to a low, when he was sent off early in the second half for bringing down Sean Marks, who was in on-goal and inside the penalty area. The referee was happy to let play continue but the assistant referee flagged for a foul and Cochlin received his marching orders.
Brad Quinton fired home the penalty and Braintree – needing only a draw to secure a play-off berth – went in search of an equaliser. They conjured an opportunity deep into stoppage time but Mike Power squandered the chance to put his side into the play-offs and as Braintree’s season ended in disappointment, the County fans again celebrated a most memorable season for the Exiles.
Alex Winter
