Newport County 1 St Albans City 0

NEWPORT County winger Jason Bowen swooped in stoppage time to cut the throat of relegation rivals St Albans City in a dramatic six-pointer at Spytty Park on Saturday.

The former Cardiff City star, who has two Welsh caps, has at time excited, and at others infuriated, supporters during his time at Newport, but this injury-time winner may prove to be totally priceless.

With the sides goalless and the final whistle just moments away, substitute Tom Hooper whipped in a back-post cross, and the diminutive Bowen, unmarked, planted a diving header into the back of the net to raise the roof of the South Wales Argus Stand at Newport Stadium.

Until then it looked as though the match was heading for a stalemate, with both sides reluctant to throw bodies forward.

No doubt the ramifications of defeat were almost too much to bear for two clubs who are in the mire at the moment.

The opening 45 minutes was a very cagey affair, although County's Scott Morgan had to be alert to clear off the goal-line after a Matt Hann flick headed goalward.

The visitors are a big, burly outfit, and Tom Beech, a massive centre forward, was causing plenty of problems in the air.

County captain Darren Jones had to put in yet another blistering performance at the back.

Jones may have been inspirational in defence, but he almost made a major impact at the other end when his scorching 30-yard- plus drive had to be tipped over the bar by Saints 'keeper Paul Bastock.

The experienced goalie also had to deny Sam O'Sullivan late in the first half as County piled on a fair amount of pressure.

But they were lucky not to concede when Lee Clarke got in behind Andrew Thomas, but he spanked his shot straight at 'keeper Andrew Delve.

Just on the break St Albans midfielder Nick Roddis was fortunate to stay on the pitch after appearing to kick out at youngster Dale Evans, but no action was taken despite several players from both sides indulging in a bit of a mele.

The fuse had been lit but the second period saw it fizzle out quickly as the match got bogged down with scrappy play.

O'Sullivan had a snapshot fire narrowly wide, and John Phillips was denied by Bastock, but County were handed the initiative when Roddis finally got his deserts when he picked up two yellow cards. His second challenge on Bowen on 72 minutes was a week late and earned him his long-overdue red card.

The numerical superiority was not telling, though, as County looked reluctant to commit too many players forward.

Their full backs were not overlapping, with Evans worried about Saints winger Ben Walshe, and Morgan not a natural left-back.

With Nathan Davies and Ashley Williams both being holding midfielders, County were finding it hard to open up the visitors, who were happy to sit back and try to hold on for a point.

As the match wore on, though, it began to open up, and Delve had to produce a superb near-post save to deny Clarke.

Both sides were tiring and gaps were appearing, and with only seconds remaining Bowen made his mark. The winger was at the heart of almost every County attack, and he capped one of his best displays for the club with a perfectly timed diving header.

Despite manager John Cornforth playing down the importance of the match, this was a massive three points for County and their first victory and clean sheet in the last seven league matches, and might just re-kindle some belief that they can stay up.

Newport County: Delve, Evans, Morgan, Davies, Thomas, D Jones, Bowen, Williams, Moralee (G Jones 60), J Phillips, O'Sullivan (T Hooper 87). Subs not used: Morris, Mouncher, Brimfield. Booked: Thomas (foul 74).

St Albans City: Bastock, D Hooper, Seeby, Roddis, Martin, Elphick, Hann, Marwa, Beech (Charles 88), Clarke, Walshe. Subs not used: Cousins, Zoricich, Kavanagh, Davis. Booked: Roddis (foul 49). Sent off: Roddis (foul 72, second yellow). Referee: I Scarr (Birmingham). Attendance: 661.