Newport County proved they were 'Kings of the Road' at Moor Green last night as they won on their travels for the sixth time in eight trips - and afterwards manager Tim Harris heaped praise on his young heroes.

The 2-1 win at Sherwood Road - in County's 55th competitive match this season - thanks to strikes from Billy Clark and Steve Cowe was made even more impressive because they were without six first-team regulars through injuries and suspensions.

Harris was forced to name an inexperience midfield with young Academy product Allan Stevenson playing only his second game and 20-year-old Michael Fowler starting his third alongside 19-year-old Nathan Davies - yet they all played as if they had been together for years.

The Exiles manager also heaped praise on his experienced men as they "took responsibility" to guide the youngsters through this tough examination - and Harris owes a debt of thanks to goalkeeper Pat Mountain whose saves at key times helped County leap-frog Stafford Rangers and Folkestone Invicta into ninth place in the Dr Martens Premier League.

Smoking his token after-match cigar ready to don his leathers and jump on his Harley Davidson, Harris beamed: "If I was Glyn Jones (youth team coach) I would be a very proud man.

"Allan, Nathan and Andrew Thomas at the back have all come through the Academy set-up and put in performances that belies their age. "We have got a lot of injuries but we have given the kids a chance and they have grown up a lot and I am very pleased and proud for Glyn and everyone involved in the youth academy set-up.

"Moor Green is a difficult place to go. They are a big, strong side and we have stopped them playing. We pressed the ball in midfield, we harassed them and played some really good football."

It was a professional performance against a Moor Green side who now haven't won at home in their last five outings. And the hosts were reduced to ten men after 21-goal striker Nathan Lamey was carried off with just under ten minutes remaining with the Midlanders having used all three substitutes.

Clark found himself unmarked to head home his fourth goal of the campaign and Newport's opener after 20 minutes from Cowe's right-wing corner.

The home team were lucky to have a full compliment of players when skipper Chris Gillard pulled down Martin Paul as he was through on goal - the referee awarding only a free-kick.

Fowler hit the post for County before Darren Ryan brought the best out of Moor Green 'keeper Adam Rachel from a 20-yard free-kick on the stroke of half-time.

Cowe doubled County's lead on the hour, pouncing to tap home Paul's low cut-back from close range - but it was Mountain who kept Newport in the game with a series of class saves - including two from Jai Stanley and an acrobatic effort to foil John Gayle. Substitute Marvin Blake halved the deficit in stoppage time as he headed Jae Martin's left-wing cross past Mountain, with the help of a wicked deflection off Clark's leg.

Moor Green (3-5-2) : A Rachel; D Scheppel (D Mullholland, 79), R Robinson, C Gillard (c); S Brighton, J Stanley, R Softley (J Peth, 79), D Peer, J Martin; N Lamey, J Gayle (M Blake, 79) Bookings : S Brighton 70 (foul), R Softley 75 (foul) Newport County AFC (3-5-2) : P Mountain; A Thomas, D Robison (c), B Clark; S Cowe (R Edwards, 88), A Stevenson, N Davies, M Fowler, S Walker; M Paul, D Ryan Bookings : M Paul 75 (dissent), B Clark 90 (off-the-ball incident) Referee : Mr M Edwards. Attendance : 324.

*PICTURED: Newport County's Billy Clark (right) got on the score sheet last night against Moor Green.