NEWPORT County's wonderful winning run continued last night with a hard-fought victory over Hayes that lifted them out of the Conference South relegation zone.

County moved three points clear of their vanquished rivals and also leapfrogged Carshalton after defender Paul Cochlin's crucial second-half strike sealed a fourth successive victory.

County have now taken 13 points from five games and look a great bet to clinch survival, amazing as they were rock bottom of the league a little over a month ago.

It was County's fourth successive league clean sheet, a feat not achieved since the 1994/95 season, and it also marked the first time they have won four successive league contests since 1998/99.

Peter Beadle's charges have improved beyond recognition in recent weeks and though they didn't perform anywhere near as well last night as they did against Sutton on Saturday, in many ways it was a more satisfying performance.

Last night's encounter was low on quality and excitement, with both sides clearly nervous in a game that had so much at stake.

But County earned their victory with hard work and good discipline - the team now resemble a tough street thug, full of street smarts and knowledge of how to get the desired result.

Midfielder Andy Legg boosted County by agreeing to play in a farewell appearance - he has left the club to become assistant manager at Peterborough United - and he didn't disappoint with a decent display.

Defender Andrew Thomas returned to the side at right-back in place of the injured Lee Jenkins and midfielder Ashley Williams again consigned Gary Fisken to the bench, meaning that at just 19, Williams has now notched up 100 appearances for County.

Referee Ron Ganefield took charge, the same referee who sent off goalkeeper Tony Pennock in a controversial 3-2 defeat for County at Hayes last November.

Newport began brightly with Legg and striker Craig Hughes in the thick of the action.

Hughes missed two half chances before County's best situation of the first period, a driving run and super cross from Williams found Bowen at the far post on 20 minutes, but the veteran's header back across goal went just wide of the post.

Ten minutes later Matt Green missed a decent chance after a barnstorming run from Nathan Davies, before Hayes winger Daniel Dyer fired wide on 39 minutes from a decent position.

County's final effort of the first half also came close to breaking the deadlock, but Hayes goalkeeper Kevin Davies adroitly tipped Williams' thunderbolt around the post.

County survived a huge scare just after the break after they twice failed to clear their lines - Thomas and Davies the culprits - but Hayes midfielders Dyer and Marvin Bartley wasted a fine opportunity.

It was just the boost in-form County needed and on 51 they took the lead with a goal that epitomised both their streetwise approach and the quality that they possess.

An exocet missile from Legg, otherwise known as his unbelievable throw, was launched into the Hayes area and after an initial clearance, Thomas headed firmly back into the box.

County's attacking players held their line and Green controlled superbly, taking a touch before back-heeling the ball to Cochlin who lashed home from close range.

Hayes searched in vain for an equaliser throughout the second half, but ably led by John Brough and Ian Hillier, County held out fairly comfortably until injury time when substitute Michael Bartley shot straight at Tony Pennock from a good situation.

County: Pennock, Thomas, Cochlin, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen, Williams, Green (Bailey 76), Hughes, Legg Subs not used: Bradley, Bater, Fisken, O'Sullivan Hayes: Davies, Osborne, Collins, Williams (Elsegood 66), Jeffrey, Marvin Bartley, Dyer, Sparrowhawk, Rendell (Michael Bartley 66), Knight, Warner