Newport County were forced to settle for a point following a 1-1 draw against Sutton United at VBS Community Stadium on New Year’s Day.
After a goalless first half, Shane McLoughlin thought he had earned the Exiles all three points when he struck home a delightful strike with eleven minutes of the contest remaining. However, a late goal from substitute Tope Fadhunsi secured the home side a share of the spoils in South London.
Manager Graham Coughlan named an unchanged side to the one that drew with Crewe Alexandra on Friday night. Academy player Nelson Sanca retained his place on the bench, while Harrison Bright also returned from his loan spell at Barry Town United.
It was the Exiles who enjoyed a fair spell of possession early on, calving out a brief opportunity after just four minutes. McLoughlin’s clever delivery from the left found the feet of Scot Bennett on the edge of the United box, but the midfielder was unable to get a shot away.
Looking to turn some of their neat play into clear-cut chances, County went close to taking the lead minutes later. McLoughlin again picked out a near run from Bennett, this time from a corner kick, though his backheel could only force Dean Bouzanis into a routine take.
The home side reacted well to the early proceedings and fashioned their first threat when Joe Kizzi’s high cross towards the back post picked out the on-rushing Lee Angol, who guided a header just wide of the post.
At the other end, the Exiles responded well with Seb Palmer-Houlden going close. McLoughlin again got the better of his man down the left, before floating a trademark ball towards the Bristol City loanee at the far post. He rose highest against Ben Goodliffe in the air, but his header crept narrowly wide of the post.
Just before the break, Coughlan’s men did source another chance when Lewis Payne capitalised on Rob Milsom’s mis-control just side of the area. He found the path of Will Evans who cut inside past his man, prior to teeing up Palmer-Houlden who blazed an effort well wide of the target.
Half Time
The Exiles came out sharp from the traps in the second period and Bouzanis needed to be at full tilt to deny a thunderous effort from Palmer-Houlden inside three minutes. A long ball up-field fell lovely into the path of Palmer-Houlden, he burst inside before unleashing a curling strike which the host’s goalkeeper did well to keep out. That was before James Clarke failed to find the target latching onto McLoughlin’s corner kick.
Midway through the second half the home side had the ball in the net. Pereira brought down Josh Cowley’s high cross inside the box before he nestled a brilliant strike past the outstretched Townsend, though the linesman flag ruled out the goal for offside.
Using Evans’ pace in behind, Payne found the forward with a smart ball with his back to goal. His sharp movement enabled him to beat his man skilfully out wide, but he lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.
Just five minutes later, County finally made a breakthrough in the game following some brilliant build-up play. Townsend's long-field goal kick was brilliantly brought down by Evans outside the box, he played in substitute James Waite, who then cut it back for McLoughlin who hammered home a delightful strike into the top corner, netting his sixth goal of the campaign.
In the dying embers, Sutton managed to salvage a late point after substitute Tope Fadahunsi poked home a neat finish from point-blank range.
Full Time
The Exiles return to action next weekend as they host Eastleigh in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round at Rodney Parade (3pm).
Sutton United: Bouzanis, Kizzi, Goodliffe, Sowunmi, Hart (Milsom 27’), Coley (Jackson 85’), Gape (Beautyman, 58’) Pereira, Patrick (Fadahunsi 46’), N'Guessan, Angol (O'Brien. 58’).
Substitutes: Arnold, Clay.
Newport County: Townsend, Delaney (C), Clarke, Baker, Payne, McLoughlin, Bennett (Bondswell 75’), Morris, Charsley (Waite 61’), Evans, Palmer-Houlden.
Substitutes: Maxted, Wood, Rai, Sanca, Bright.