Newport County won 3-0 against promotion-chasing Northampton Town on Saturday thanks to goals in each half from Omar Bogle, and an unstoppable finish from substitute Charlie McNeill at a bouncing Rodney Parade.
Bogle capitalised on a loose ball in the penalty area to make it 1-0, and with the clock ticking down to full time, rolled the ball home with a composed penalty kick.
With the visitors pushing men forward County were able to punish their opponents further when McNeill got past his man and fired a left-footed shot into the far corner which sealed the win.
The first flash point came on seven minutes when Mitch Pinnock met a lay off from Louis Appere inside the area, but his shot on the stretch was brilliantly dealt with by James Clarke.
Pinnock turned provider moments later and it nearly proved fruitful. His in-swinging corner found the head of Harvey Lintott just six yards out, but he headed over.
Norman had a go himself next as Newport looked to respond. He found space about 25 yards from goal and hit a firm drive that was well blocked.
Appere had a great chance to score on 20 minutes when he beat Matt Baker to the ball and cut inside, only to scuff his effort into the side netting.
Former Exiles player Ryan Haynes then took aim from outside the area, but his right footed shot flew about a yard over the crossbar.
Aaron Wildig picked the ball up on the edge of the box 32 minutes in, striking a half-volley well toward the bottom left, it was well held though by Lee Burge.
Bogle gave us a deserved lead, using all his experience to position himself brilliantly to tap home on the stroke of half time, after Declan Drysdale had been denied by a brilliant save.
Early in the second half Newport got a great chance after some brilliant hold up play from Bogle, Moriah-Welsh received the lay-off but were denied by a combination of Northampton defenders.
Northampton’s best chance to pull themselves back level came after some great wing play by Keiron Bowie down the left flank, his low cross found Sam Hoskins, only for the striker to bobble the ball wide.
Some brilliant play from Bogle lead to him playing it through to strike partner Calum Kavanagh on 62 minutes, with the pacey frontman hitting a fierce shot into the side netting.
As Northampton tried to get back into it Marc Leonard had a powerful shot on goal from 30 yards out, sadly for him though, it flew wide of the left-hand post.
Hoskins then attempted a left footed volley from just inside the area after meeting substitute Danny Hilton’s header down, it was a sweet strike but went just over the crossbar.
Leonard had another effort from outside the area after Pinnock’s swerving run and pass, but it trickled just wide of the post.
The second came in the 90th minute when Bogle fed Aaron Wildig, who was hoping to score with the goalkeeper off his line.
Wildig was brought down and Bogle stepped him, side footing his penalty into the bottom right, kissing the post as it went in.
McNeill put the icing on the cake when he finished brilliantly from the left-hand side of the area to score expertly into the far corner.
Newport County XI: Day (GK), Norman, Baker, Clarke (Drysdale, 11’), Demetriou (c), Evans, Lewis (Bennett, 77’), Wildig, Moriah-Welsh (Waite, 64’), Bogle, Kavanagh (McNeill, 77’).
Subs not used: Townsend (GK), Bowen, Rai.
Northampton Town XI: Burge (GK), Lintott, McGowan (Odimayo, 28’) (Yengi, 90'), Guthrie, Haynes, Bowie (Hylton, 73’), Sowerby (Hondermack, 46’), Leonard, Pinnock, Appere (Wright-Phillips, 73’), Hoskins.
Subs not used: King (GK), Osew.
Referee: Leigh Doughty
Assistant referee: Daniel Leach
Assistant referee: Lee Venamore
Fourth official: Alan Young