Exeter 0-1 Newport: Away win for County

Saturday 8 April 2017 19:59, UK

Newport gave their Sky Bet League Two survival hopes a huge boost with a narrow 1-0 win at play-off hopefuls Exeter.

The game kicked off 45 minutes late with the Newport team coach stuck in traffic for four hours, but when the game got under way they looked anything but troubled by their nightmare journey.

Dan Butler spurned the first chance of the game when he ghosted in behind Pierce Sweeney and saw his volley well saved by Christy Pym in the Exeter goal.

Exeter then responded with Lloyd James crossing to the far post, where David Wheeler had a free header but planted it straight at Newport goalkeeper Joe Day.

On 54 minutes, Newport went in front when Ryan Harley was dispossessed, Tom Owen-Evans picked up the loose ball and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards for the only goal of a dire game.

A woeful Exeter toiled from then on but never looked like finding an equaliser as the Exiles held on for a massive win that leaves them three points from safety.