WITH more experience and guidance, Raith Plant will be a useful weapon for Newport County.

The 20-year-old may have been on the fringes of the Exiles first team for three years, but the speedster had never really been allowed a proper chance.

He was pushed from pillar to post out on loan under the previous management, not knowing where he was from one week to the next.

But Peter Nicholas has handed academy product Plant a Newport olive branch - and it looks to be paying dividends.

The County chief fully appreciates the young striker needs to develop his game and has a lot to learn but Nicholas is willing to give him a go in Dr Martens Premier League football.

But Nicholas also knows that he won't improve sitting on the sidelines or cast out in the wilderness.

And Plant is, slowly but surely, repaying Nicholas for some of that faith with the ultimate ambrosia - goals. And it was his composed finish against Bath City on Saturday that stretched Newport's unbeaten league run to five matches.

In the past, Plant would have fluffed the chance when Nathan Davies split the defence apart but Nicholas and his right-hand-man Glyn Jones have both put their arm around Plant to show him how to better his game.

Plant didn't panic and rifled an 18-yard bullet past Bath keeper Mark Bryant into the far corner of the net.

That was his third goal in 11 run-outs under Nicholas, from a possible 15 matches, whereas previously he'd only scored eight in 38 games in two-and-a-half seasons under Tim Harris.

County started the game brighter and frontman Garry Shephard and skipper Matt Rose should have both put the hosts ahead inside the three minutes but on each occasion Bryant made vital saves.

Shephard again shot just wide ten minutes later and, after midfield man Mike Fowler hobbled off in the 11th minute with a dead leg, City began to get a foothold in the game after their jittery start.

The visitors probed as they looked to unlock County's backdoor - and with just quarter of the game gone Bath took the lead with their first real attempt.

Crisp passing between Andy Williams and Jamie Gosling cut the home side's defence to sheds and Frankie Bennett slid Gosling's cut-back into the net.

Stuart James almost scored on his return to Newport Stadium direct from a left-wing corner-kick but Steve Benton was on the far post to head away the danger.

County, though, were bit-by-bit getting themselves back into the game with a better work ethic and tenacious Davies, at the heart of Newport's engine room, sent Plant racing clear for the leveller on 40 minutes.

But so often the Welshmen rely on their last line of defence - and 'keeper Pat Mountain was on top form to make two crucial saves either side of the break.

The Welsh semi-pro goalie was quick off his line to deny Bennett from getting his second and then made a first-class reaction save to keep out Gosling after Paul Milsom's original shot was blocked by Andrew Thomas.

Newport were denied the lead on the stroke of the hour-mark by some tremendous goalkeeping by Bryant. He stayed on his feet until the last second as Shephard was sent clear by Rose's through-ball and blocked the prolific striker's shot with his torso.

Shephard's strike-partner Neil Davis, back after seven weeks out with knee ligament problem, made Bryant's heart flutter after his 20-yard shot took a wicked deflection off Jim Rollo before the Bath keeper gathered the ball.

Shephard has endeared himself to the County faithful with vital - and late - goals but it wasn't to be this outing as on two occasions in the final couple of minutes the ball stung the hands of Bryant but was kept out.

Newport County AFC (4-5-1) P Mountain; C Collins, A Thomas, B Clark, S Benton; R Ashington, N Davies, M Rose (c), M Fowler (R Plant, 11 (R French, 72)), G Shephard; N Davis (J Eckhardt, 78) Subs Not Used: J Perry, A Stevenson

Bath City (3-5-3) M Bryant; G Kemp (c), J Rollo, M Trought (G Thorne, 45); S James, D Shore (P Milsom, 46) J Gosling (J Jefferies, 85), I Harvey, A Williams; F Bennett, J Eaton Subs Not Used: C Honor, D Cleverley Booked: J Jefferies 86 Referee: Mr C Spence (Newquay) Attendance: 856