Newport County's bid to avoid relegation from the Conference South took another massive stride forward on Saturday with a vital victory over Sutton United.

County, bottom of the league and dead and buried after a drubbing at Weymouth a month ago, are now enjoying their best run of form since December 2003 and are in control of their own destiny for the first time in weeks.

Defeats for Hayes and Eastbourne Borough at the weekend put County level with the former and just a point behind Eastbourne, with Hayes visiting Spytty Park on Wednesday in a crucial clash.

London outfit Carshalton are also improving and stayed two points ahead of County with another victory on Saturday, but Maidenhead lost again and despite being a point ahead of County a month ago, they are now doomed, seven points adrift at the bottom of the league.

County's third successive clean sheet, their longest sequence of shut-outs since April 2002 when the club was in the Dr Martens Premier League, was a crucial factor in Saturday's victory because as well as County played they should have had more to show for their endeavours than Jason Bowen's solitary first-half goal.

But County's durability and resilience is all now based on being solid in defence, where once again they were superb.

Goalkeeper Tony Pennock, a mere spectator in County's last two games, was excellent, claiming cross after cross and literally not putting a foot wrong for the entire game.

Defender Andrew Thomas missed out with a sore ankle and Lee Jenkins returned to the side following long-term injury as a right back and he looked to be easing his way back to fitness well. His ability on the ball was also a bonus.

In the centre of defence John Brough was once again a rock, and he in turn has brought out the best in Ian Hillier and Paul Cochlin. Hillier is surely a major contender for player of the season, and Cochlin looks increasingly assured at Conference South level.

Nathan Davies, celebrating his 250th appearance in a County shirt, had a big influence on the game, as did midfield partner Ashley Williams, who responded to an undeserved first-half booking with a disciplined and mature performance, fully justifying his inclusion ahead of Gary Fisken.

In attack Matt Green and Craig Hughes worked tirelessly, as did wide-men Bowen and Sam O'Sullivan, given the nod ahead of the more defensive Geraint Bater.

Williams forced the first save from experienced Sutton stopper Carl Emberson on two minutes, and just moments later striker Green headed a Bowen cross over the bar as County began brightly.

Bowen curled a free kick just wide on 26 minutes, and his excellent cross moments later, following great defensive play by Craig Hughes, almost created an opening for Green.

On 36 minutes County thought they had broken the deadlock against a Sutton side who themselves are not safe from relegation (they are now five points ahead of County) when Hillier's point-blank header from a Bowen corner found the net.

However, despite absolutely no protest from any of the Sutton players, referee Stephen Robbins ruled it out for a push on Emberson, one of a number of baffling decisions by the official.

A minute before the break we saw a rare glimpse of 'old Newport County'. They surrendered possession following a free kick and suddenly found themselves with only Jenkins back and three forwards surging towards goal, but midfielder Matt Gray's woeful pass gave County back the ball.

A month ago a poor lapse from the defenders would have led to County going behind, but straight from Pennock's punt up field they took the lead.

A long ball into the Sutton penalty area was beautifully controlled by Green, who wriggled past defender Gary Elliot before cutting the ball back to Bowen, who finished with aplomb.

Bowen's form has been marvellous in recent weeks and his work rate and endeavour have increased dramatically.

In every way he now looks like a captain who leads by example, and with his wonderful ability County now have a genuine match-winner on song and keen to do well.

Just after the break County almost doubled their advantage. Green's superb run saw him burn past defender Ryan Palmer before firing across the 'keeper and just wide of the far post.

Striker Hughes then stung Emberson's hands with a rasping 25-yarder before Hillier's shot following Cochlin's header from a Bowen corner was blocked on the line.

County continued to push in an effort to make the game safe and Hughes missed a super chance on 65 minutes.

The chance came when Davies put him clean through with a splendid ball, but Emberson adroitly tipped his ferocious effort around the post after the striker opted for power rather than accuracy with his shot.

County struggled to keep up their good work as an attacking force and three substitutions put the visitors on more of an even footing.

Sutton's best chance came on 86 minutes when Pennock's punch clear fell to Gray, who fired just wide from 18 yards out with a clear sight at goal.

But battle-weary County held on for a deserved victory despite a nervous few minutes, and are now in a position to move clear of the bottom two.

Victory on Wednesday against Hayes (who have won just four times in their 18 games since the turn of the year) would lift County three points clear of the relegation drop-zone, and with time running out on the sides contesting at the foot of the Conference South, their new- found momentum couldn't have come at a better time.

County: Pennock, Jenkins (Bater 89), Cochlin, Hillier, Brough, Bowen, A Williams, Davies, O'Sullivan (Fisken 65), Green (Bailey 90), Hughes. Subs not used: Blackburn, Toppar. Booked: Williams (foul, 41), Davies (retaliation, 90).

Sutton: Emberson, Lampton, Elliot (Gonsalves 58), Palmer, Scarborough, Fear, Gray, Honey, Harrison (Gordon 58), Watson (Cornwell 65), Akumoah. Subs not used: Boosey, Wilson. Booked: Palmer (foul, 25).

Referee: Stephen Robbins (Bristol). Attendance: 632.