Ten man Newport County were held to a dramatic goalless draw against promotion chasing Walsall at Rodney Parade on Easter Monday.
Despite Ciaran Brennan seeing red late on, County battled away to secure a point against the third place side.
Walsall looked to have snatched all three points late on but Oisin McEntee’s handball ruled out a winner.
The Exiles saw their second goalless draw in the space of four days after MK Dons on Friday afternoon and a consecutive clean sheet.
Head coach Nelson Jardim made one change to the staring eleven that faced MK Dons last time out, as Kyle Hudlin replaced Courtney Baker-Richardson.
The first chance of the game fell to the Saddlers as Albert Adomah got an early cross into the box onto the head of Jamie Jellis, but the winger was unable to direct his headed effort on target.
Moments later, a chance fell to Nathan Asiimwe who drove into the box and shifted onto his left foot. His subsequent strike was straight at Nick Townsend who stood strong to save.
County right back, Joe Thomas had a great start to the game winning duels all across the pitch. He had a great chance to deliver into the box from the right wing but his cross was just behind Bobby Kamwa who was leaning back to head behind.
Thomas once again won an aerial duel and flicked the ball through to Kai Whitmore who drove into the Saddlers box. Whitmore laid the ball across the box into the feet of Kamwa who set himself before his goal bound shot was blocked well by David Okagbue.
Lone County striker, Kyle Hudlin, did excellently to spin his marker before being taken out, advantage was played as Michael Spellman burst onto the ball before he played through Kamwa. The winger was unable to beat his man but did win a corner, that in its second phase found the feet of Spellman on the edge of the box who’s powerful strike bounced infant of Tommy Simkin but the keeper did well to hold his strike.
With just over ten minutes of the half to go, Newport County worked a deep free kick well, as Shane McLoughlin found James Clarke at the back post. The defender headed the ball across to his fellow centre back, Matt Baker, who took one touch before his cross was turned behind by a Walsall body.
The visitors put pressure on the Exiles in the three minutes of added time as Adomah burst down the left wing before he hit a low cross into the penalty spot but Brennan was there to clear the danger.
Another chance fell to the Saddlers shortly after as Jellis had a shot from distance that was hit with pace and power but it didn’t trouble Townsend as it flew over the bar.
Half time.
The start of the second half saw Newport County dominating the possession. After a steady period of control and possession, Kamwa did well on the left wing to play the ball into Whitmore in the box who shimmied onto his left foot before he shot straight at Simkin who had no issues with the save.
Kamwa showed his control with a brilliant touch to pluck the ball out of the sky before he spun his man, drove down the wing and fired a cross toward Hudlin that was claimed well by the oncoming Simkin.
Just after the 60th minute mark, Jardim looked to his bench as Josh Martin and Anthony Glennon replaced Whitmore and Spellman.
Minutes after being subbed on Martin found himself in space on the right side of the box. The attackers cross deflected right into the path of Kamwa who volleyed wide.
It was the Saddlers turn to attack as Asiimwe delivered a dangerous ball towards the head of Adomah, but the forward was unable to connect with the cross as the ball evaded him.
In the 79th minute, Newport County were reduced to ten men as Brennan saw red. The midfielder was adjudged to have gone in too strong on Saddlers captain Taylor Allen.
The best chance of the game fell to the Exiles with just over five minutes to go as Martin won the ball high up the pitch to set up a two on one with Kamwa up alongside him. After a quick one two between the pair, Martin was sent through on goal but his left footed strike across the keeper was saved excellently by the leg of Simkin.
Newport County continued to hold on despite significant pressure from the Saddlers and midway through the seven minutes of additional time, Martin was played through on goal by Cameron Antwi. Walsall keeper Simkin came out to claim the ball but collided with Martin. Nothing was given by the referee who let play continue before stopping play as Martin received medical treatment.
Martin got back to his feet after he'd received treatment and made way for David Ajiboye.
Walsall appeared to have the ball in the back of the net as Allen met an Asiimwe cross but with his hand and the goal was disallowed as County and Walsall shared the points.
Full time.
Newport County: Townsend, Thomas, Baker, Clarke (C) (Warner 39’), McLoughlin, Brennan, Whitmore (Glennon 62’), Antwi, Spellman (Martin 62’(Ajiboye 98'), Hudlin (Baker-Richardson 83’), Kamwa.
Substitues: Webb, Ajiboye, K.Evans.
Walsall: Simkin, Gordon (Barrett 66’), Amantchi (Hall 66’), Chang (McEntee 72’), Asiimwe, Allen (C), Jellis (Matt 66’), Williams, Sirk, Okagbue, Adomah (Harrison 84’).
Substitutes: Hornby, Daniels.
Attendance : 4578 (1028 away)
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday as they travel to Fleetwood Town.