NEWPORT County midfielder Scott Walker has left the club to join Dr Martens League, Premier Division rivals Chippenham Town on a free transfer.

The 22-year-old, who made 80 appearances for County since he joined from Exeter City in the summer of 2001, has followed his friend Martin Paul from Newport Stadium to Hardenhuish Park.

Newport boss Peter Nicholas is keen to trim the club's wage-bill and Walker, whose contract at the Exiles was due to expire this summer, is the fifth player to be released since he arrived four months ago.

Meanwhile, County's youth team beat Port Talbot Town 2-1 last night to progress into the Welsh Youth Cup semi-finals, thanks to goals from Chris Rogers and John Phillips.

Elsewhere, Nicholas' Wales Under-17 side lost 7-0 to France in their opening match of their UEFA B second round European Championship qualifying group. They will now face world No 1 Spain in their second match in Onteniente tomorrow.