Shephard saves his flock

GARRY Shephard is becoming a living legend at Newport County.

Supporters of the old Ironsides will never forget the goal-scoring heroics of John Aldridge, who went onto greater things with Liverpool, Real Sociedad and the Republic of Ireland.

Now followers of the current Exiles love their Shephard just as much. It may be down in the lower reaches of the football pyramid, but when you've got a player with Shephard's work ethic and knack of scoring vital goals it's no surprise that he's a favourite on the terraces.

Time and again the little man, who arrived in Newport on a free transfer from bitter rivals Merthyr Tydfil almost three years ago, has got County out of predicaments - and he proved his worth again against Hinckley United on Saturday.

With the visiting side in the ascendancy and after a relatively quiet game by his standards, Shephard raced onto Raith Plant's precise pass to fire the team he loves back among the chasing-pack in the Dr Martens Premier League.

In doing so, the 26-year-old striker became County's second highest goal-scorer of all-time with 51 goals in 127 appearances and, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, it did his cause with new boss Peter Nicholas no harm at all

Shephard's ninth goal of the season was yet another 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card Nicholas has played and the fourth time a Garry Shephard goal has earned County victory in that period - but that good fortune will eventually run out.

A fierce 20-yard drive from Mike Fowler in the tenth minute after Matt Rose had laid off a free-kick gave County an early breakthrough that flamboyant French winger Julien Luntala extended six minutes later after a comedy of errors in the Hinckley box.

But when Newport go 2-0 up they seem to hit a wall and retreat into their shell, inviting pressure from the opposition.

Exiles stopper Pat Mountain was in top form to deny Hinckley trio Neil Cartwright, Wayne Dyer and Paul Hunter - but he would have been disappointed at conceding Hinckley's first on the hour-mark.

The ball seemed to squirm from his grasp as he was under pressure from Hunter and fell to Chris Smith who smashed Hinckley back into the game from five yards.

Then, amid controversy, Hinckley grabbed an equaliser ten minutes later. Steve Benton looked to have tackled Cartwright fairly but, after consolation with linesman Phil Trask, referee Ron Ganfield gave a free-kick to Hinckley and a caution to Benton deep in Newport territory.

And from the subsequent dead-ball Mountain didn't come to collect Stuart Storer's right-wing cross and centre-back Simon Dakin steamed in unmarked to volley past the helpless County keeper.

Hinckley were now enjoying much the better of the game - and goal-scoring chances - as Newport's defensive play seemed to be at sixes-and-sevens.

Dean Thomas' side sensed victory was within their grasp and would live to regret clear-cut chances their side failed to convert. Partners in crime Hunter and Smith both missed two glorious chances apiece as did Dakin.

Then, completely against the run of play Shephard came up trumps - again.

From a goal-kick, Hinckley keeper Tommy Whittle kicked the ball straight to substitute Plant he fed Shephard who did the rest.

Ryan Ashington twice and Shephard again missed chances to put the game beyond the visitors, who deserved the win - but Nicholas won't care as he notches up his third league win in a row, only the second time County have managed that feat this season.

Now, though, Nicholas must install a belief into his side that combats their current lack of confidence that prevents them from winning games comfortably.

And if he figures out the problem quickly, County, just 12 points behind leaders Worcester City, could start an unbeaten run that would put them in with the leaders, nevermind the chasing pack.

Teams. Newport County AFC: P Mountain; C Collins, A Thomas, B Clark, S Benton; G Shephard, M Fowler, M Rose (c), R Ashington, J Luntala (A Stevenson, 87); J Eckhardt (R Plant, 66)

Hinckley United: T Whittle; N Cartwright, A Penny (c), S Dakin, J March; S Storer, W Dyer, D Crowley, M Fox; P Hunter, C Smith (D Sadler, 78)

Atten: 658

Referee: R Ganfield (Weston-super-Mare)