Newport County emerged from an action-packed 90 minutes at Hornchurch with a priceless Nationwide South point on Saturday, and they were only denied a stunning victory by the width of the post in the final minute.

This 1-1 draw at the Stadium was non-league football at its finest, with chances, tasty tackles and a cracking atmosphere.

In a week when there has been talk of players wanting out of Spytty Park, they responded with a colossal performance.

The blood-and-thunder clash set off at a breakneck pace with Urchin Paul O'Donahue going into the book after just four minutes and County's Sam O'Sullivan joining him three minutes later.

The hosts were well in the mood and carved County open on numerous occasions in the first 25 minutes, and it was something of a mystery as to how they did not manage to score.

It was fairly desperate stuff, but as the half wore on they began to make inroads to the Urchins' goal.

Right on half-time they managed a breakthrough when Sam O'Sullivan's effort won them a corner. The ball was flighted into the box, and after 'keeper Micky Desborough punched weakly, the ball broke to Sam O'Sullivan whose chip shot could only be touched onto the bar by the back-pedalling Desborough. On hand was John Phillips to hammer home the rebound to send the travelling County support wild.

Just nine minutes after the re-start this already simmering contest ignited as Urchin O'Donahue was sent off for his second yellow-card offence for taking both ball and man from behind.

But the real flashpoint of the match happened just before the hour, when County's Ashley Williams and Urchins' Andy Douglas became embroiled at the touchline.

Things were turning nasty, then Hornchurch assistant boss Kevin Howells got involved, appearing to kick out at Williams.

Both sides steamed in, and after several minutes of pandemonium, referee Robert Smith brandished a yellow card at Sam O'Sullivan - who had already been booked but was not given a red card! Eventually Smith came to his senses and booked Ashley Williams, and then awarded Hornchurch a questionable penalty.

Danny Shipp converted to draw level, but as the match wore on, the hosts began to tire.

Hornchurch boss Garry Hill resigned moments after the final whistle, capping a blistering afternoon where a point apiece was just about right.

Hornchurch: Desborough, Locke, Gooding, O'Donahue, Southon, Bowes, Robson, Hill (Makitu 76), Shipp, Michel-Sigere, Douglas. Subs not used: Everitt, N Phillips, Maynard, Baruwa.

Booked: O'Donahue (foul 4). Sent off: O'Donahue (second yellow foul 54).

Newport County: Delve, Morris, Morgan, Davies, Thomas, D Jones, L Phillips (Evans 87), Williams, Moralee (G Jones 71), J Phillips, O'Sullivan. Subs not used: Hooper, Mouncher, Blackburn.

Booked: D Jones (foul 64), Williams (foul 58), O'Sullivan (time-wasting 8).

Referee: R Smith.

Attendance: 707.