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| Saturday 14th December NEWPORT (I.W) 2 CORBY TOWN 2 A last-gasp equaliser by Gareth Keeping spared Newport's blushes in a tempestuous battle on Saturday, and denied nine-man Corby Town their first win in fifteen league games. After their recent impressive form, the 'Port were pre-match favourites to win especially as Corby had conceded eight goals in their last two matches.But the Northamptonshire side had other ideas and took advantage of a lethargic Newport defence in the fifth minute when they failed to clear a long throw into the area and the ball fell to Danny MARLOW who slotted home from six yards. Although the goal stunned the crowd of 241 who braved the elements, it appeared to kick-start the 'Port who began to take control of the game. A great cross by Adam Lang on the left was headed wide by Keeping who then had an effort saved by goalkeeper Richard Lavin following a customary Steve Riley flick from a Leigh Cole long throw. Riley nearly got on the scoresheet himself in the 21st minute but was denied by Kennedy's goalline clearance following a Lang corner. Midway through the half Jamie O'Rourke had a goalbound shot blocked and Lavin did well to hold the follow-up from Adam Barsdell who then got embroiled in a scuffle with the keeper and ended with the pair being booked by referee Graham Scott. The wet conditions resulted in some over-zealous tackles flying in and crude challenges on Cole and Simon Pilcher, which resulted in the latter being stretchered off for extensive treatment before returning to the fray, earned further cautions for Corby's Marlow and David Glass.Eventually the pressure paid off and KEEPING got Newport back on level terms in stoppage time when he forced home Lang's corner from close range. Not for the first time this season at St.George's Park, the 'Port produced a disjointed second half display despite the visitors being reduced to ten men in the 59th minute. Corby striker Wayne Spencer took exception to Pete Tagg's challenge and an ugly brawl developed involving players from both sides before referee Scott red-carded Spencer while Tagg, sporting a cut below the eye, escaped with a booking. MADDOX restored Corby's advantage in the 67th minute following another Kennedy free-kick and it looked as though they might hold out as Newport struggled to break down the packed defence.But with two minutes left, KEEPING struck again when he slid home Lang's free-kick although the drama was still not over when Corby substitute Lane Clark was sent off following an off the ball incident. Afterwards, manager Steve Tate said: "To say I am extremely disappointed is an understatement. It was a below par performance and it cost us two points. Corby's players ran their socks off for their manager, unfortunately some of my players didn't do that for me today. Thankfully, Gareth Keeping appears to have a knack of scoring goals at key times and he rescued us today." Newport: McCormack, Preston, Lang, Riley (Whittingham 73), Tagg, Pilcher (Tate 82), Keeping, Cole, O'Rourke, Wright, Barsdell. Subs. not used: O'Connor, Isaacson, Perry. Corby Town: Lavin, Kennedy, Glass (Marshall 45), Eastel (Clark 73), Hawthorn, Carson, Maddox, Marlow, Hutchison (Le Mesurier 82), Spencer, Campbell. Referee : Mr. Graham Scott Bookings: Newport; Barsdell, Tagg. Corby; Lavin, Marlow, Glass, Le Mesurier. Sent off: Corby; Spencer, Clark. Att: 241 |
| NEWPORT GRAB A POINT AS GARETH GRABS LATE EQUALISER |