PITY the 500 or so Newport County supporters who don't go to away games.

In recent Conference South matches at Spytty Park, County have shown all the fighting prowess of Audley Harrison, but last night they proved again that they have become prize fighters on the road.

Peter Beadle's side, who collected just two points from their first 12 games on the road this season, have now earned seven points out of the last available nine, thanks to another excellent performance.

Indeed, boss Beadle's only complaint with his side is that Jamie Brown's equaliser in the 85th minute denied them the victory they deserved.

He explained: "I was very pleased with the players, it was another excellent away performance from us. "It is never easy to go to Dorchester, they are a good side on the fringe of the playoffs, but we matched them.

"They didn't create too much and we kept them quiet, but being harsh we gave away an avoidable late goal and it cost us a win.

"But we played well and are happy with what we got."

County got off to a dream start at the impressive Avenue Stadium (the 422 attendance was less impressive), when Craig Hughes scored in just the second minute.

The goal came via a defensive mistake from a long Terry Evans throw, defender Gary Middleton missing his header, allowing Hughes to fire County ahead from close range.

However, County's early dominance only lasted a further eight minutes before the hosts scored from their first attack, Mark Robinson on hand to fire home a decent effort after County only cleared a corner to the edge of the box.

Both Hughes and Matt Green, who works so hard it's a wonder he can stand at the end of games, missed half chances to regain the lead. But luckily for County, Dorchester goalkeeper Craig Bradshaw took pity on them.

There was no danger when Bradshaw went to clear a routine backpass on 41 minutes, but the keeper completely missed his kick before touching the ball to Green and falling over, leaving the striker to roll the ball into an empty net.

County never looked under much pressure defending their lead in the second half, but with five minutes remaining an excellent one-two between Simon Radcliffe and Justin Keeler fashioned an opening for Brown, who slammed the ball home from just inside the area.

Winger Sam O'Sullivan wasted a decent effort to win it for County during the eight minutes of injury time, firing wide after a sweeping counter-attacking move from the left to right flank.

Ashley Williams came off at half-time with a foot injury, Dale Evans replacing him and producing a good performance.

Dorchester: Bradshaw, Hill, Radcliffe, Jermyn, Browne (Walker 83), Robinson (Howes 72), Brown, Moss (Mekchiche 72), Groves, Keeler Subs not used: Gleeson, Keeping County: Pennock, T Evans, Cochlin, Hillier, Edwards, O'Sullivan, Toppar (Bowen 78), Williams (D Evans 46), Davies, Green, Hughes Subs not used: Prosser, Bradley, Warton Booked: Cochlin (foul, 73) Referee: M Philpott (Falmouth) Attendance: 422