Omar Bogle's debut goal was only enough for a point, as Newport battled to a 1-1 draw at Sutton United on the opening day of the 2022-23 season.
Omar Bugiel put Sutton 1-0 up midway through the first half but County struck back soon after through Bogle's first goal for the club to earn a point.
Sutton would have the first notable effort of the game, as Nick Townsend was needed to make an impressive diving save to his left to punch away Rob Milsom's free-kick four minutes in.
It took County a while to get into their rhythm, as our first shot was blocked behind for a throw while Enzio Boldewijn struck wide for Sutton - not helped by the Dutch forward slipping as he wound up to shoot.
A half of few chances got its first goal on 24 minutes though as Bugiel rebounded shot found the back of the net after Donovan Wilson's powerful drive cannoned back off the bar and into Bugiel's path.
Bogle had two efforts, and it turned out he was merely testing his range, soon after the opener, as one shot was blocked and another was struck wide from distance.
He struck gold in the 38th minute as he nodded home a debut goal with a stern header in off the left post and in from Mickey Demetriou's long throw-in on the left.
It was a physical first half that saw a whopping eight minutes of stoppage time due to two first-half Sutton subs, but despite the lengthy first half, no further chances arose.
County did have the first major opening of the second half though. Goalscorer Bogle put a Sutton defender under pressure as he attempted to defend a high ball.
Bogle won it and surged towards goal as Will Evans and Zanzala offered support, but Bogle had a second goal in his sights, however he struck wide of the near post from a tight angle.
Townsend was needed to make another good save in the 68th minute with Wilson again showing the power in his boots with a long-range drive but the County keeper got down well to keep the game level.
Sutton would go close again 12 minutes from time, but Josh Neufville's header from inside the box went behind for a goal-kick after striking the bar.
As County pushed for a winner, the final five minutes became very dramatic.
With four minutes remaining, Sutton keeper Jack Rose picked the ball up after a deliberate backpass by Craig Eastmond which led to a free-kick inside the area for County.
Cameron Norman laid it off to Matty Dolan, and the skipper's shot was deflected wide for a corner.
From the corner, the ball eventually found its way to Robbie Willmott who would have two attempts at the winner. The first was blocked, which led to loud handball shouts from the Newport fans behind that goal, before the rebound was shot over.
Dolan would also see a free-kick from distance pushed behind for a throw, and that was as close as it came for James Rowberry's men, as County had to settle for a point on the season opener.
Sutton United: Jack Rose, Ben Goodliffe (Coby Rowe '37), Louis John, Enzio Boldewijn, Alistair Smith, Omar Bugiel (Harry Beautyman '83), Will Randall (Josh Neufville '45), Craig Eastmond (C) Joe Kizzi, Rob Milsom, Donovan Wilson (Kwame Thomas '83)
Subs not used: Brad House, Jon Barden, Kylian Kouassi, Kwame Thomas
Newport County: Nick Townsend, Cameron Norman, Matt Dolan (C), Declan Drysdale, Mickey Demetriou, Will Evans, Scot Bennett, Aaron Wildig, Sam Bowen (Robbie Willmott '81), Omar Bogle (Lewis Collins '81), Offrande Zanzala (Chanka Zimba '90)
Subs not used: Joe Day, Aaron Lewis, Adam Lewis, James Waite