Newport so close to getting it spot-on in Stockport defeat

The Exiles looked set to bag a hard-earned point at Edgeley Park until Paddy Madden struck at the death to keep pace with Mansfield, who won 1-0 at Rodney Parade seven days earlier.

The Hatters captain had earlier seen a penalty saved by an inspired Nick Townsend but he ended the second-placed side’s four-game winless streak with a powerful volley after a debateable free-kick caused problems in the box.

Here are some talking points from the north west of England…

PRESSURE PAYS OFF

Just like against Mansfield, it was a fair result despite grumbles about the officiating.

County boss Graham Coughlan admitted as much afterwards and the stats tell the story with Stockport having 27 shots to the Exiles’ 3.

Newport know their limitations and, given some influential absentees, this was very nearly a job well done.

Their tactics were spot-on and their first-half display was particularly impressive to frustrate Hatters players and supporters alike.

Newport, much to the annoyance of the home faithful, ate up the clock to take the sting out of the game and make it edgy at Edgeley Park.

They were not carved open but Stockport gradually ramped up the pressure and it then took some sensational Townsend saves to keep it goalless.

FRUSTRATED: Graham Coughlan and County were close to getting a battling point in Stockport (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

There will be some grumbles at Coughlan for the way that Newport set up, but it would be madness to leave themselves open against a promotion contender given the personnel at their disposal.

They largely defended well and created some half-chances to hit the Hatters on the break.

In the first half Aaron Wildig stole possession but either didn’t hear a shout from behind him or ignored it with Will Evans in acres of space down the right.

In the second half Evans failed to produce a quality ball when Offrande Zanzala was bursting in behind, then there were more opportunities to strike as the hosts got more desperate.

It’s that little bit of a creative spark that the Exiles need to add in the summer; it will either cost to bring in a new signing or they need to try and find a Finn Azaz, Ollie Cooper, Scott Twine standard of loanee.

BRAVE: Nick Townsend raced out to block for County from Antoni Sarcevic (Image: PA)

TERRIFIC TOWNSEND

Townsend changed to shirt number to finally become County’s number 1 last summer and he is profiting from being nailed-on starter.

Jonny Maxted provides experienced back-up – and got the nod for two games in mid-October - but there is no doubt who the first-choice stopper is.

The 29-year-old has been superb since being called out by Coughlan over a clanger that cost County two points at Sutton on New Year’s Day.

Townsend was immense at Stockport with a total of 11 saves and crackers to deny Madden, Antoni Sarcevic, Odin Bailey, Callum Camps and his teammate Bryn Morris.

That the Exiles were within touching distance of a fifth clean sheet since the turn of the year was largely down to the Brummie between the sticks.

BATTLE: Offrande Zanzala holds up the ball for Newport at Stockport (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

ENFORCED CHANGES

Ideally a manager would not be changing their back line when it is goalless, their opponents are ramping up the pressure and there are 10 to go.

Sadly, Coughlan was forced to make substitutions.

There will be some questioning the call to take centre-back Kyle Jameson off for the closing stages but the left-footer is on the comeback trail and his tank was empty.

Making him keep playing in the danger zone would have risked the defender joining Ryan Delaney and James Clarke on the sidelines for the run-in and potentially suffering a blow to hinder his important summer pre-season.

Similarly, Adam Lewis had nothing left to give and was up against lively opposition down the Stockport right, so a change with Matty Bondswell made sense.

Offrande Zanzala is another on the comeback trail while teenager Seb Palmer-Houlden is no doubt feeling the strain after a first EFL campaign.

County have another fixture on Tuesday against Morecambe at Rodney Parade, then a trip to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

Managers have to use the mantra of it all being about the next game when carrying out their media duties but in reality they have the month planned out.

Coughlan needs to be shrewd if he is to keep getting the maximum out of this stretched squad for the 10 remaining games.

That will be frustrating to the Irishman but the challenge will be to build a bit more depth for 2024/25 while still operating with a small budget.

LEGEND: County captain Scot Bennett climbs high at Stockport (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

FLUID COUNTY

The injury problems have made a return to the 2pm uncertainty – still a back three or a flat four? What’s happening with the forward line?

A lot of that is down to the presence in the line-up of Scot Bennett, who has made 47 appearances this season at either his preferred midfield or at the heart of the defence.

The County legend, 33, played an interesting role at Edgeley Park and at the start of the second half was shadowing Madden in a man-marking job.

The Exiles are lucky to have such an adaptable, durable, low maintenance player who will surely extend his Rodney Parade career by at least another season with a fresh contract.

The value of the wonderfully unflashy Bennett will only truly become clear once he’s gone.

Stockport scorer: Madden.

County: Townsend, Payne, Baker, Bennett (captain), Jameson (Drysdale 79), Lewis (Bondswell 88), Morris, Wildig, Evans, Palmer-Houlden (Jephcott 88), Zanzala (Charsley 64).
Substitutes not used: Maxted, Waite, Rai.

Yellow: Zanzala. Payne, Jameson, Charsley, Wildig.

Referee: Tom Reeves.

Attendance: 8,865 (315 County)