Newport County were forced to settle for an Emirates FA Cup 2nd Round replay against Barnet following a 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon.
Shane McLoughlin put the Exiles ahead just before the break but a late equaliser from Daniele Collinge deep into normal time earned the Bees a replay.
Manager Graham Coughlan named an unchanged side to the one that defeated Morecambe in midweek, with James Clarke, Matt Baker and Seb Palmer-Houlden once again retaining their places in the starting XI. Aaron Wildig also returned to the fold following injury to feature on the bench.
County kicked off a crisp winter’s afternoon in South Wales with real intent, aiming to make it three consecutive wins in the space of a week. They almost made the perfect start too, as Omar Bogle threaded a smart ball in behind to Will Evans whose low cross was well kept out by Laurie Walker to deny the on-rushing Palmer-Houlden.
With the Exiles looking to continue their fast start, Bogle spearheaded a quick counter-attack down the right-hand side. He found Bryn Morris down the flank who broke and was left one-on-one with Anthony Hartigan, but the midfielder was unable to get a shot away inside ten minutes.
Midway through the first half, Baker found Bogle with an inch-perfect pass down the right flank before his low delivery was well cut out by Collinge.
Just before the break the Exiles had a great chance to open the scoring. Morris worked space on the edge of the area before picking out the Evans inside the Barnet box, who guided a header narrowly wide of the target.
With just minutes of the half remaining, Morris was again in and around action after he saw his long-range free-kick cannon off the inside of the post. However, County’s persistent pressure was to be awarded just seconds later, as Clarke delivered a teasing ball towards the far post to McLoughlin who hammered home his fifth goal in all competitions for the Exiles this season.
Half-time
The second half began with Barnet sharp from the traps looking to claw a way back into the contests, but it was County who calved out the first opportunity of the second period. Scott Bennett found the feet of Palmer-Houlden who tuned his man brilliantly before forcing Walker into a comfortable save inside the first three minutes.
Against the run of play, the visitors nearly found an equaliser on 52 minutes after Nicke Kabamba beat Clarke to the ball inside the box, but the forward’s resultant shot was adverted away from danger by Ryan Delaney.
Barnet went close once again just six minutes later as Nick Townsend was needed to tip over Hartigan’s curling shot-cross from the left-hand side. At the other end, Clarke rose highest from a County corner but he was unable to direct a header goalward.
Coughlan deployed several changes during the second period with Harry Charsley and Wildig gaining minutes from the bench. Wildig was immediately amongst the action just within seconds of his appearance, teeing up Morris on the edge of the box who saw his effort again denied via the crossbar.
As the game headed into the final ten minutes, Bogle was played through in behind the Bees defence and was left one-on-one with the goalkeeper, however, he couldn't find a way past the advancing Walker.
With three minutes remaining, Collinge headed home an equalising goal at the back post to force a replay between the two sides later this month.
Full-time
The Exiles return to action next weekend with a trip to Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet League Two (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, Payne (Bondswell 63’), Delaney (C), Clarke, McLoughlin, Baker, Bennett (Wildig 75’), Morris, Palmer-Houlden (Charlsey 63’), Bogle, Evans.
Substitutes: Maxted, Waite, Wood, Rai, Sanca, Young.
Barnet: Walker, Collinge, Okimo, Kabamba, Kanu, Pritchard (C), Hartigan, Oluwo (Potter 87’), Hooper (Armstrong 67’), Cropper (Hall-Johnson 67’), Brunt.
Substitutes: Gillmore, Coker, Gornan, Stead, Blower, Revan.
Attendance: 2,707 (226 away)