Newport County were held to a goalless draw against Grimsby Town on Saturday afternoon at Rodney Parade.
The Exiles battled away for 90 minutes but were unable to find the crucial goal as Kyle Hudlin saw a second-half penalty saved.
Courtney Baker-Richardson also had a huge opportunity to seal all three points late on for Newport County after a well worked move left the striker in space to finish.
Head coach, Nelson Jardim made five changes to the starting eleven that faced Reading on Tuesday night in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
Kyle Hudlin came back into the attack in the place of Baker-Richardson while Cameron Evans rejoined the defence.
County were without defender Kyle Jameson due to suspension, while there was a return for Shane Mcloughlin who made his first league start since September 7.
It was the Exiles who started the game well with a great opportunity on the attack. After some great work by Kai Whitmore to win the ball up the field, County set away on a quick attack that saw Kieron Evans chop inside a Grimsby defender and appeared to be taken down.
Following that move, Grimsby Town countered with pace but Cameron Evans put an abrupt end to the attack with a great tackle to send the ball out of play.
Once again it was the Exiles who threatened the Mariners defence with a ball into the box from Shane Mcloughlin finding Whitmore. The midfielder's deflected shot fell into the path of Kieron Evans who fired his strike over the goal.
Kieron Evans continued to impress as he looked to pick out Kyle Hudlin at the back post. Hudlin’s header didn’t trouble Jordan Wright as his headed effort lacked power and deflected into his hands.
Newport County went close to an opener after a series of shots on target. The move started with a diagonal ball by Aaron Wildig to Kieron Evans who did brilliantly to bring the ball down and cut inside to curl a shot towards goal.
Wright did well to get down to push the ball out to the left but only as far as Bobby Kamwa whose strike was also saved brilliantly by Wright and then the danger was cleared by Grimsby.
It was the Exiles again who continued to push for an opener as Hudlin won a free kick in the Grimsby Town half. The subsequent freekick was swung in deep by McLoughlin towards the back post but Matt Baker was unable to make any contact on the ball as he stretched out to reach the ball.
As the time ticked over into the fortieth minute the Exiles had a great chance in the box with Kamwa and Whitmore linking. After a one-two from the pair, Kamwa put Whitmore into space in the box but he was just beaten to the pass by Wright who pounced to claim the ball.
Just before the half, Newport County were forced into a change as Kamwa had to make way for Michael Spellman due to a knock. The Exiles headed into the break level despite an impressive forty-five minutes.
Half Time
Grimsby made a change at half-time which saw Jayden Luker take the place of Jason Svanthorsson. Luker almost made an instant impact for the Mariners as he found himself with the ball inside the box, but he dragged his shot wide.
County once again showed their pace on the counter as they made a quick transition from defence to attack. Baker did brilliantly to step in and win the ball just inside the County half and then played the ball into the feet of Kieron Evans.
The winger made a pass that cut apart the Mariners to play in Spellman whose cut back into the box is just behind Hudlin and the striker was unable to generate enough power on his flick.
Spellman proved to be a handful for the Grimsby defence as he found himself in the box. The left winger couldn’t divert the ball past the on-rushing Wright who made a great save to deny the Exiles the opening goal.
In the 58th minute Newport County won a penalty after Kieron Evans drove into the box and played the ball into the path of Hudlin who went down after a challenge in the box. Hudlin then stepped up to take the penalty but his spot kick was saved well by Wright who dove down to his left to deny the striker.
Just minutes later the Exiles were forced into another chance as Captain Aaron Wildig went down injured. The midfielder was replaced by Cameron Antwi.
Grimsby attempted to test the Exiles defence as Denver Hume hit a deep cross into the box from a wide free kick but Nick Townsend did well and rose above the crowded box to punch away. A moment later, Evan Khouri broke free in the box but his shot was saved strongly by Townsend.
The Mariners almost caught County out as Kieran Green played a dangerous ball across the box. Grimsby Town captain, Danny Rose, was on the receiving end of the cross but fell backwards just as he went to strike.
In the last five minutes of regular play, the Exiles had a great chance to take the lead. Spellman was at the heart of the move with a great cross in from the left wing but there was no one there able to head in.
In the 89th minute Newport County had a brilliant chance to seal all three points. Antwi burst through the Grimsby Town defence, into the box and played a brilliant ball across the face of the goal. Courtney Baker-Richardson was on the end of the cross but the striker was unable to convert into an open goal as he fell over while taking aim.
The referee indicated that there were to be eight minutes of injury time and in that time both teams battled hard to get a late winner but to no avail.
Full Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action next Saturday as they travel to Notts County (3pm).
Newport County: Townsend, C.Evans, Baker, Brennan, McLoughlin, Morris, Wildig (C) (Antwi 63’), Whitmore, K.Evans (Baker-Richardson 77’), Hudlin, Kamwa (44’ Spellman).
Substitutes: Carney, Clarke, Thomas, Greaves.
Grimsby Town: Wright, Warren, Rose (C) (Obikwu 79’), McJannet, Green (Davies 84’), Dadi Svanthorsson (Luker 46’), Barrington, Khouri, McEachran (Thompson 72’), Rodgers, Hume.
Substitutes: Auton, Cass, Gardner.
Attendance: 4,298 (389 away).