Newport County returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra.
A super strike from Cameron Evans and a powerful header from Matthew Baker saw County claim a first league win in three matches and stopped Crewe from extending their unbeaten run to six games.
Nelson Jardim made two changes to the side that were defeated 2-0 by league leaders Barrow last weekend. Cameron Antwi and captain Aaron Wildig returned to the Exiles starting eleven and replaced Kiban Rai and Kyle Hudlin.
The game also saw Michael Spellman make his long-awaited debut for the Exiles after returning from injury.
There was a quick start to the game for County with Kieron Evans on the right wing. He cut in from the right and played the ball out to Anthony Glennon whose dangerous cross almost found a County head but was diverted out for a corner.
A great diagonal switch by Kyle Jameson finds Kieron Evans in space on the right wing. He chopped past Max Conway to pick out Antwi’s late run on the edge of the box but his pass was misplaced.
Once again it was Kieron Evans causing trouble down his right-hand side as he won a foul from Conway. Glennon's left footed delivery was deep into the back post and found Courtney Baker-Richardson who was unable to divert his headed effort on target.
Crewe tried to dampen a sharp start from County with Max Conway delivering a dangerous low ball into the box. Nick Townsend did brilliantly to get down low and palm the cross out of any danger.
County went closest to opening the scoring after an error from Crewe keeper Filip Marschall. A long ball over the top bounced over the head of the onrushing keeper and Courtney Baker-Richardson found himself with an empty net. But great recovery defending by Crewe captain Mickey Demetriou who made an excellent block.
On the 33rd minute, Newport County opened the scoring with an unbelievable strike by Cameron Evans. After a driving run from midfield, Antwi laid the ball off to the onrushing Evans who unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box that flew into the top left corner.
Building on from their goal County looked to add another to their tally. A great ball in by Glennon was flicked on by Bobby Kamwa to the back post but it was Demetriou who headed the ball behind to prevent Baker-Richardson from nodding in.
Just before the break some great defensive play by County ensured they went into the half with the lead. Jack Lankester’s freekick was blocked well by the county wall and the second ball was cleared astutely by Wildig. Another attacking freekick by Crewe was defended with bodies on the line with Bryn Morris and Baker-Richardson getting in the way of Crewe attempts.
Half Time
The second half started shakily for the Amber Army with Shilow Tracey looking to create danger down the right flank. Both of his balls into the box failed to find an Alex shirt and the danger was snuffed out.
Morris looked to get the second for county and tried to dig out a shot from the edge of the box, but his effort was sliced wide of the left post.
Conway tried to find a Railway man in the box with a deep cross but it is defended brilliantly by Glennon who puts a stop to the danger.
Battling away in the midfield, Wildig did well to pinch the ball from Crewe and played in Kamwa. He cut inside and tried to bend the ball into the far right corner but it was again blocked by a Crewe defender.
A well-worked move by Crewe led to an effort on goal from Lankester. His edge of the box effort deflected off Baker but a quick reaction save from Townsend prevented an equaliser.
The Exiles went close to adding a second through Kamwa with a curling effort. A great cross from Antwi was controlled by Wildig as he sets up Kamwa but his finessed effort hits the right post.
On the 72nd minute Crewe equalised through Adrian Thibaut who tapped in at the back post. A great ball by Ryan Cooney found Thibaut in space to make it an easy finish for the youngster.
The Amber Army responded brilliantly and less than two minutes later Baker headed in. A precise cross by Glennon was met brilliantly by Baker who rose the highest in the box and powered his header into the bottom right corner.
Spellman entered the field of play on the 82nd minute to make his debut for the Amber and Black after a spell on the sidelines injured.
As the game drew to a close Newport showed their defensive prowess to contain Crewe and prevented any way back into the game. A deep cross by Max Sanders was claimed superbly by Townsend and his long clearance helped see out the rest of injury time.
Full Time
Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action when they host Salford this Tuesday at Rodney Parade (7:45pm).
Newport County: Townsend, C.Evans, Baker, Jameson, Glennon, Morris, Antwi (Mawene 82’), Wildig (C) (Greaves 72’), K.Evans, Kamwa (Spellman 82’), Baker-Richardson (Hudlin 89’).
Substitutes: Carney, Sanca, Jephcott.
Crewe Alexandra: Marschall, Cooney, Knight-Lebel, Williams, Demetriou (C), Sanders, Tracey (Roberts 82’), Tabiner (Breckin 51’), Lankester, Hemmings (Thibaut 62’), Conway (Billington 82’).
Substitutes: Booth, Connolly, Agius.
Attendance: 4273 (287 away)