Shane McLoughlin’s injury-time penalty earned Newport County a hard-fought 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.
After battling back from two goals down, goals from Michael Spellman and a late penalty from McLoughlin ensured the Exiles left the Cherry Red Records Stadium with a share of the spoils.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made three changes to the starting eleven that faced Notts County last time out, as Joe Thomas, Cameron Antwi and Geoffroy Bony all came into the starting eleven.
Kyle Jameson returned from suspension and came off the bench to win the penalty that levelled the game for Newport County.
The Exiles got the game underway but the Dons were quick to put County under pressure. James Tilley forced a corner as his low cross was put behind by Matt Baker for a corner.
Wimbledon opened the scoring on the 11th minute through Alistair Smith. A deep free kick into the box found the head of John-Joe O’Toole who nodded across the box to Smith. The midfielder then diverted the ball goalwards with a deft left footed flick past Nick Townsend.
Minutes later, Newport County almost had the perfect response as Kyle Hudlin went close. The striker did brilliantly to round the keeper but the angle proved too tight and his effort was dragged wide of the mark.
The hosts swiftly added another to their tally as striker Matt Stevens headed in. It was Tilley who provided a dangerous cross that Townsend came to clear. The goalkeeper’s clearance hit the back of Stevens head and into the net.
In an attempt to get back into the game Bony was put through on goal. The attacker rushed towards the ball and got first contact but Alex Goodman did enough to close the angle.
After going close with Bony, the Exiles got a goal back on the 27th minute. It was Michael Spellman who was played into space by Bryn Morris and he did brilliantly to find the bottom right corner with his left footed finish.
The Exiles tried to get another goal back quickly to level proceedings before the half. Shane McLoughlin looked to find a County shirt with a high cross into the box but the ball was cleared out to Kieron Evans. The midfielder struck from distance but ended up well wide of the target.
Half time
Five minutes after the start of the second half, Wimbledon had the first effort of the second period. Stevens took aim from outside of the box but his strike flew high and wide of the goal.
Just after the first chance, Wimbledon had a goal disallowed. Isaac Ogundere smashed his strike into an empty net but a Wimbledon player had fouled Townsend leaving the keeper stranded.
County right back, Joe Thomas, had an ambitious effort from range with the defender smashing a half volley just wide of goal.
After coming off the bench for Hudlin, Luke Jephcott added energy to the frontline. Jephcott flashed a header wide after fellow substitute Oliver Greaves picked him out in the box.
As the clock ticked down towards ninety minutes, the Amber Army persisted in fighting for an equaliser. Kieron Evans found himself in shooting range after being set up by Morris but he was unable to guide his outside of the boot strike on target.
In the final minute of injury time, Kyle Jameson won a penalty after being subbed on upfront in a dramatic finish to the game. It was McLoughlin who stepped up and the left back calmly slotted home with aplomb to level the game with the last kick of the game.
Full time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action at Rodney Parade on Saturday afternoon against Carlisle United (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, Thomas (Jameson 88’), Baker, Brennan, McLoughlin, Morris, Antwi (Whitmore 57’), K.Evans, Bony (Greaves 57’), Hudlin (Jephcott 74’), Spellman (Glennon 57’).
Substitutes: Carney, Clarke.
AFC Wimbledon: Goodman, Johnson, Harbottle, Ogundere. Neufville (Biler 90’), Smith, O’Toole, Tilley, Kelly (Furlong 83’), Stevens, Bugiel (Pigott 83’).
Substitutes: Ward, Leach, Sidwell, Horan.
