SANTA Claus could not have given Newport County fans a better Christmas present than a comfortable 3-nil win over arch-rivals Merthyr Tydfil.

And new signing Alfie Carter had an extra special gift from St Nick as he bagged his first goal for the Exiles.

Merthyr looked like a team who had eaten too much turkey on Christmas Day but Newport didn't have any festive hang-overs as they dominated the game and picked up three easy points.

The rivalry was even more intense as the Martyrs had earmarked County boss Tim Harris as their saviour after John Lewis left to go to League Of Wales outfit Haverfordwest County - but now former West Ham striker Leroy Rosenior is in the Merthyr hot-seat.

Carter's first-half strike, a goal from Steve Cowe and a last minute penalty from Martin Paul gift-wrapped County's fourth win on the spin - and their biggest league victory for ten months - to warm the hearts of the 1,000-plus Newport fans at a bitterly cold Spytty Park yesterday afternoon.

Keeper Pat Mountain hardly had a save to make, the defensive back-line snubbed out any sniff at goal that came Merthyr's way and the midfielders battled well and created plenty of openings.

And the strikers scored - apart from Garry Shephard who chased everything which came his way.

It was Welsh semi-pro international Shephard that hustled James Rollo off the ball in the 21st minute and cut the ball back for Carter, who gambled and got into the box, to smash the ball past Merthyr's keeper and captain Neil Thomas.

Cowe could have put County two-up minutes later but his strike on the half-volley was acrobatically saved by Thomas.

But Newport then sat back and started making life difficult for themselves and gave the ball away in silly areas of the pitch - but Tydfil didn't have the fire-power to capitalise. The only half-chance they had was a Gavin Beddard headers which Mountain tipped over. After the interval, County went for the throat - something which they haven't done for a long time and indicates the players' self-belief and confidence is returning. That should mean their performances will improve.

Cowe, whose movement up-front was superb, got his fourth of the season within ten minutes of the re-start. Rhys Edwards' left-wing corner was headed into the danger zone by Jeff Eckhardt's and Cowe diverted the ball into the net.

Substitute Matt Rose had appeals for a penalty turned down after he was sent tumbling by Craig Lima, but there was no doubt about the penalty appeal when Lima felled Darren Ryan in stoppage time.

Super-sub Paul stepped up and dispatched his shot under Thomas and into the net - but only just. Thomas got his hand to the ball but it squirmed under his body and rolled over the line, although the Merthyr skipper didn't think so and his protests earned him a caution.

Newport dominated possession and out-battled the Martyrs. The performance was a lot brighter than in previous weeks and it's always good to get one over on your local rivals.

*PICTURED: New County signing Alfie Carter hurdles over Merthyr goalkeeper Neil Thomas.