"WE don't want a war, we just want to play football," said manager Tim Harris after Newport County's opponents, Bath City, had seen two men sent off in a volatile match - the sides have to play each other three more times this season.

County face Bath again in the Dr Martens League, League Cup and FA Trophy in the next two months and after City's Bradley Thomas and James Zabek were sent off in five frantic first half minutes last night, there will be no love lost.

A tense night at Newport Stadium erupted after former City player Martin Paul had opened the scoring for County after 30 minutes.

Less than two minutes later Paul appeared to be head-butted in a heavy collision with Thomas and referee Andy Williams sent the Bath player off for violent conduct.

The dismissal incensed the Bath team, with many accusing Paul of play-acting and making their feelings felt. In the case of Zabek he went too far and was dismissed for foul and abusive language just seconds after his team-mate.

From the touch-line Harris screamed at his team to stay calm as emotions ran high both on and off the pitch as both sets of fans goaded each other.

But with County playing Bath at Twerton Park on Tuesday, October 9 in the league and Saturday, November 3 in the FA Trophy, before the sides play again at Newport Stadium on Monday, November 12, Harris was keen to play down the tension.

He said: "I have told the lads to keep their discipline, we don't want a war, we just want to play football. "I know the fans will be disappointed and they didn't like us keeping the ball like we did at the end, but we took three points from a very volatile game.'

Bath City boss Alan Pridham did not pull any punches in his interpretation of events.

Pridham claimed: 'There was no contact on (Martin) Paul and I think it is sad when someone has to perform in such a way. I never thought the game was going to end up as anything nasty."

His said of the referee: "I think a few players out there had scores to settle and a few points to prove, but the officials could have handled it a bit better.

'We deserved a point and I was encouraged by the spirited performance my side gave with nine men.' The game was effectively decided during the few minutes of madness which started with striker Paul giving County the lead and ended with the City players being sent off.

Even before the kick-off the game had plenty to offer with recent County players Gary Kemp, Gary Thorne and Thomas lining up for City against a Newport side which included former Bath players Scott Walker, Stuart James and Paul.

Paul, in particular, left City under a cloud after openly criticising the club, while Walker was taken by County on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

A storm was brewing from the start with Paul Milson booked for a heavy challenge on County goalkeeper Pat Mountain with barely four minutes on the clock.

Moments later Newports young midfielder, Nathan Davies, was caught on the leg by the studs of Thomas. Bath had let their intentions be known, a local derby of high tension was clearly on the cards. Slowly Newport began to assert their authority as they exerted some control with telling crosses from the impressive Walker.

Yet again County were stringing chances together without actually causing the goalkeeper many problems, but all that changed after half an hour.

Walker intercepted a City pass in midfield and with a perfectly weighted ball played Paul in to fire home past helpless City goalkeeper Mark Hervin.

Two minutes later the whole complexion of the game changed with the sendings off. Despite having a two-man advantage and most of the possession in the second half, the expected County goal rush failed to materialise, much to the frustration of the crowd.

The nearest County went to adding to their tally was in the 56th-minute when Walkers dipping curler from the edge of the area crashed against the City bar, bouncing clear with the men in black and amber ready to pounce.

But County seemed content to sit tight on their obvious advantage and they played out the game to get their second win in three days to move up to eighth in the table.