JAMIE Moralee fired New-port County's Nationwide South campaign back on track in a crucial 1-0 victory over Bognor Regis at Spytty Park on Saturday.
After picking up only one point in the previous three games, County boss Peter Nicholas asked his players for a reaction, and he got it in spade-loads against a very competent and tricky opposition.
The visitors set out their stall from the off, lining up with what managers would call an offensive 4-3-3 formation, which is in reality a defensive 4-5-1 formation.
It was clear that Bognor had come looking for a draw.
In the opening period County had the lion's share of the ball, but in a midfield that was more congested than the Coldra roundabout they were finding it hard to carve a path through.
Both goalkeepers had very little to do in a first half where chances were few and far between.
If a goal was to come, then it would have to be from a set piece, and this was proved to be the case when County took the lead five minutes into the second half.
Newport pressed Bognor back, and after a neat turn dragged a shot wide that slightly defected off a defender, and they were awarded a corner.
From the resultant Jason Bowen cross, Moralee leapt above Bognor 'keeper Craig Stoner to nod the ball home for the sixth goal in the last five games on the trot.
The goal forced the visitors to come out, and this enabled County to hit on the break and cause them a few problems.
At the back, Newport were looking as composed and as organised as they have all season, and Andrew Thomas, making his first start since January after a horror leg-break, was enjoying a fine afternoon.
But Bognor are no mugs, and at times they knocked the ball about pretty nicely - after all, they have scored ten goals in three away games this season, but with the County back line and midfielders Nathan Davies and the impressive Ashley Williams chasing and harassing, it was not long before frustration reared its ugly head.
The first Bognor player to lose the plot was Guy Rutherford. After he left the boot in on Kevin Aherne-Evans, referee Glenn Aston showed him his second yellow card and first use of the team's shampoo. Although down to ten men, Bognor were still proving to be a bit of a nuisance and continued to press, albeit without forcing County 'keeper Roger Freestone to get his gloves dirty.
Newport could have sealed it when Jonathan Coates crossed for Ashley Williams to head over, but then they had a real scare when Freestone had a juggle with a Daniel Beck cross before Aherne-Evans managed to lash the ball clear ahead of Bognor frontman Luke Nightingale.
There was still time for another random act of thuggery, which were becoming more and more common as Bognor lost patience, as Darren Budd nailed Nathan Davies with a shocking tackle three minutes from time, earning a straight red card.
Newport County: Freestone, Aherne-Evans, Thomas, Davies, D Jones, Morgan, Bowen, Williams, Moralee, Wilson-Denis (O'Sullivan 87), Coates. Subs: Passmore, G Jones, Hooper, Prosser. Booked: D Jones (64 foul), Moralee (79 foul).
Bognor Regis Town: Stoner, Piper, Birmingham (Rowlands 62), Budd, Breach, Murphy, Watson (Russell 70), Lowell, Beck, Nightingale, Rutherford. Subs: Clayton, Singh. Booked: Lowell (89 foul), Rutherford (58 persistent fouling). Sent off: Rutherford (65 second bookable offence), Budd (87 violent conduct). Referee: G Aston (Kingswinford). Attendance: 712.
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