Newport County 1, Hayes and Yeading 1

WHILE most of us struggle to stay off the cigarettes or drag ourselves to the gym, it appears Newport County have also already broken their New Year's resolution - showing more composure in front of goal.

Sure, they managed to turn over a new leaf on the first day of the year - like we all do - when they stuffed five past Weston-super-Mare, but on Saturday the Exiles paid the price for resuming their bad habits.

Supporters will no doubt point to a difficult playing surface, a very poor referee and simple bad luck as to why they dropped two points against Hayes and Yeading, and all of those theories hold an element of truth.

However, the difference at the moment between County, Eastleigh, Bath, Bromley and any of the chasing pack in the Blue Square South and runaway leaders Lewes and Eastbourne Borough is an ability to grind out a result.

Were County at their best on Saturday? Absolutely not. Did they create enough chances to win the game? Definitely. This one and the next one!

And therein lies the problem. For all the elements of misfortune County dealt with on Saturday - fatigue after a busy period another valid excuse - the truth is that it was poor finishing and lack of composure in the final third which ultimately cost them.

Striker Charlie Griffin had a complete stinker, and despite coming close and working hard fellow striker Craig Hughes will also reflect on this clash as one in which he could've done more.

Several times wingers Richard Evans and Jason Bowen found themselves in good positions, but Evans especially was found wanting at the last second.

Giant strikers Jermaine Clarke and Julian Alsop both made a big impact when they were introduced, and boss Peter Beadle will no doubt rue his decision not to take a more direct route earlier in the game.

His desire to see County playing decent football is highly commendable, but this simply wasn't the occasion for it.

Heavy rain meant Spytty Park's playing surface was heavy, and it seems highly questionable whether five successive home encounters will actually benefit the Exiles, particularly against scrappy defensive sides like Hayes & Yeading.

The Exiles were slow starters on Saturday and it was referee Will Bull who was most active in a cagey opening, making life instantly difficult for himself with some inconsistent decision making.

By no means was Bull the biggest factor in County's failure to win this contest, but his performance will have satisfied neither side.

If only we could take all of these Conference South referees to a seminar entitled We haven't paid to come and watch you... just do your job,' for Bull's performance was typical of the look at me, look at me' style of refereeing that seems to dominate non-league football.

He had already booked Lee Fowler and let off visiting skipper Nevin Saroya (the best player on the pitch) for a far worse challenge when the visitors created the first good opening, Staforde Palmer's overhead effort flying just wide after Nathan Davies' poor clearance.

Davies was certainly County's key figure in the first period, making up for the fact that Fowler, Evans and Bowen only decided to show the required commitment in the attacking third after the interval. Griffin and Hughes might as well have nipped into the grandstand for a seat and a cup of tea, so poor was the service they received.

However, the second half was a different story and Fowler in particular began to get a grip on proceedings, but typically the Exiles went behind just as they were in the ascendancy.

Both Griffin and Hughes had missed the target and Hughes had forced Adam Thompson to save well from a header when the visitors scored on the hour.

It was a classic counter-attacking goal, Bowen robbed of possession, Steve Jenkins caught too far upfield as a result and James Mulley tucked the ball inside to Palmer, who finished with aplomb.

Beadle rightly introduced Clarke soon after - but wrongly for Hughes and not Griffin, who blazed over on 62 minutes when it was easier to hit the target - as the Exiles chased the game.

County were bombing forward by this stage, Bowen dragging wide and Ian Hillier seeing a firm header cleared off the line from a corner.

However, Clarke eventually got the deserved equaliser, heading home Hillier's cross with 12 minutes remaining as the newly introduced Alsop caused confusion in the penalty area.

In injury time Glyn Thompson had to save sharply to deny sub Josh Scott before referee Bull made the decision that so angered the Spytty Park faithful.

Alsop's header had already been cleared off the line from a previous corner when he rose to head home in the 93rd minute, Bull ruling the goal out for a push despite Alsop rising almost unmarked.

It was a baffling decision to compound a frustrating day for County, but they only have themselves to blame for failing to win this game.

County: Thompson, Jenkins, Searle, Davies, Jarman, Hillier, Bowen, Fowler, Griffin (Alsop 78), Hughes (Clarke 66), Evans. Subs not used: Simpson, Pennock, Dodds.

Booked: Fowler (foul, 13), Davies (foul, 42), Jarman (dissent 90).

Hayes & Yeading: Thompson, Allen-Page, P Collins, Marwa, Saroya, Mulley (Martin 86), Perkins, Hendry, Palmer (Scott 72), L Collins (Telemaque 79).

Subs not used: Mapes, Little.

Booked: Saroya (dissent, 64).

Referee: Will Bull (Winchester).

Attendance: 902.