United completed a stunning comeback as Aaron Hayden netted the winner following a Georgie Kelly brace.
Mark Hughes made three changes from Tuesday’s defeat at Chesterfield - Hayden, Jack Ellis and Stephen Wearne entered the side in place of Sam Lavelle, Charlie McArthur and Joe Hugill.
Due to the absence of the ever-present Lavelle, Terell Thomas was given the armband against the Exiles.
Nelson Jardim’s men secured a quickfire double through Kieron Evans and Bobby Kamwa, the second surely being a contender for Sky Bet League Two’s Goal of the Season award.
Georgie Kelly managed to reduce the deficit before the interval, and brought the contest level just prior to the hour-mark and the returning Aaron Hayden turned home the winner six minutes from time to pick up a vital win at Brunton Park.
United started the brighter of the two sides in the opening few minutes. Georgie Kelly looked to hold off his man and divert an effort towards goal but was blocked from doing so by a visiting defender.
Sean Fusire hammered a low attempt towards Nick Townsend’s goal following a corner on the 10-minute mark, however, the goalkeeper managed to claim.
On 14 minutes, Kelly would be involved once again, this time holding off his man and spraying the ball wide to Kadeem Harris, whose curling effort after drifting inside went just over the crossbar.
At the opposite end, Kieron Evans had a fine opportunity to give the Exiles the lead against the run of play - Gabe Breeze was alert to get down and make his first save of the game.
Archie Davies was forced off through injury midway through the first-half, Charlie McArthur was his replacement slotting in at left-back and Jack Ellis moved over to the right.
Kieron Evans broke the deadlock on 26 minutes, guiding the ball into the back of the net beneath Breeze despite McArthur’s best efforts to get back and make the block.
Immediately from kick-off, Newport found their second in superb fashion. The ball fell to the feet of Bobby Kamwa, whose exceptional effort from around 35-yards out found the top corner.
Georgie Kelly netted his first for United on 33 minutes, rolling into the far corner following a neat through ball from Stephen Wearne, bringing the Cumbrians right back into the contest.
Mark Hughes’ side continued to push for the equaliser in the moments which remained in the first-half but were unable to do so.
HALF-TIME: United 1-2 Newport County
Early in the second 45, Aaron Hayden made a last ditch challenge to deny David Ajiboye after the attacker managed to weave his way beyond skipper, Terell Thomas.
Josh Vela should’ve restored parity on 52 minutes, Kelly held the ball up brilliantly and set for the midfielder, whose powerful drive was straight at the visitors’ shot-stopper.
On the hour mark, United were level and it was Kelly once again! The striker was on hand to tap home from close range following a scramble in the visitors’ box following a corner.
Following the equaliser, Mark Hughes’ side looked the most certain to find the next goal of the contest.
On 68 minutes, Charlie McArthur drifted inside onto his weaker right-foot and sent a great cross towards the far post but Wearne was unable to connect. Before substitute Matthew Dennis also came agonisingly close to turning home soon after.
Breeze was forced into action six minutes later and made an unbelievable double save which gave Newport a corner in the end, however, the ‘keeper would claim that also.
With 10 minutes remaining, United looked to force the issue by adding two more attackers to the mix off the bench in the form of Joe Bevan and Joe Hugill.
Right after the switches, Thomas had another great chance to find the net, but an Exiles defender made a goal-saving challenge, throwing himself in front of the defender’s effort.
After coming back into the side, Hayden found the net to complete the Blues’ comeback, slamming home from point blank range after Hugill smashed the base of the post from a free-kick seconds earlier.
The hosts stood firm in the moments that remained and secured an important win with five fixtures remaining.
FULL-TIME: United 3-2 Newport County
Teams:
United - Breeze, Davies (24’ McArthur), Thomas ©, Hayden, Kelly, Vela (54’ Dennis), Ellis, Wearne (80’ Hugill), Harris, Whelan, Fusire (80’ Bevan)
Unused subs - Lewis, Guy, Barclay
Newport County - Townsend, Thomas, C. Evans, Baker, Clarke ©, Glennon, Antwi, McLoughlin, K. Evans (71’ Whitmore), Ajiboye (66’ Martin), Kamwa
Unused subs - Webb, Brennan, Patten, Spellman, Bony
Goals:
United - (33’, 59’ Kelly), (84’ Hayden)
Newport County - (26’ K. Evans), (28’ Kamwa)
Yellow cards:
United - (90+3’ Dennis), (90+4’ Bevan)
Newport County - (75’ Martin)
Red cards:
United - N/A
Newport County - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Ruebyn Ricardo
Assistant Referee - Emmanuel Edet
Assistant Referee - Anthony Moore
Fourth Official - James Tewson
Attendance:
5,889 (205 away)
