Newport County beat Morecambe 5-3 in League Two thriller

The Exiles passed manager Graham Coughlan’s first target for the season of 50 points and will now hunt 58 to beat their tally from last year.

The boss won’t mention the play-offs, but County remain in contention thanks to an entertaining and somewhat farcical night against fellow top-seven hopefuls in Newport.

They are five points off seventh-placed AFC Wimbledon with a game in hand, and travel to the Dons on Saturday.

County took control thanks to a well-timed run and first-time finish by former Morecambe captain Aaron Wildig in the 12th minute and a controlled volley from Adam Lewis in the 18th.

However, the Shrimps were just 2-1 down at the break after Gwion Edwards finished off a counter-attack, with the hosts raging that play wasn’t stopped for a Will Evans head injury.

County regained their composure and their two-goal lead in the 54th minute thanks to another cracker with Wildig finishing from Lewis’ whipped cross; the wide boys did the damage again.

Morecambe levelled thanks to a quickfire double by Chris Stokes and Edwards only for the Exiles to go in front again with an inch-perfect Harry Charsley finish after 77 minutes.

County had some lucky escapes in a game that was far, far too open for Coughlan’s liking and the last action was breakaway fifth from a last-gasp Morecambe free-kick that was finished by striker Seb Palmer-Houlden.

A mad moment six minutes into added time that was in keeping with the night.

OPENER: Aaron Wildig put County in front (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

The manager made two changes to the XI from Stockport with January signing Luke Jephcott making his first start for the club up front and Charsley coming into midfield.

Strikers Offrande Zanzala and Palmer-Houlden dropped down to the bench, where they were joined by Harrison Bright at the expense of fellow youngster Kiban Rai.

Morecambe started brightly and County had to be alert to deal with several viciously-whipped set pieces by former Swansea prospect Edwards, now a talented 31-year-old Football League veteran.

However, it was the Exiles that opened the scoring with their first attack of note, reaping the rewards of ignoring terrace advice.

Bryn Morris was urged to shoot from distance but instead played the ball out to the right for Lewis Payne to cross on the slide.

Wildig timed his run perfectly and side footed in for his first league goal of the season against the club that he captained.

The lead was soon doubled in the 18th minute thanks to more good work down that right flank.

Payne stayed calm in possession and played the ball through to Morris, whose deep cross was met by Lewis to score with a controlled volley.

County had a chance for a third with a beautifully-worked free-kick but Jephcott bizarrely opted for a pull-back rather than firing in a shot.

That was swiftly followed by Edwards slamming a wonderfully shot past Nick Townsend only to be denied by the bar.

However, the Welshman was not to be denied on the counter for a goal that enraged the Exiles, and especially Will Evans.

The striker went down with what looked to be a head injury after grappling but play was allowed to continue and shocking defending allowed Edwards to prod past Townsend.

Harry Charsley fired County back in front (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Evans was urged by Coughlan to bite his tongue – although he was later booked for dissent – and County looked to restore their two-goal advantage.

Morris opted to cross rather than shoot from another neat free-kick and then Harry Charsley was denied by a strong right hand from Archie Mair when he shot from distance.

With referee Scott Simpson making some odd calls (both ways), Coughlan was chuntering away in his dugout and then went to give his half-time pearls of wisdom with the score 2-1.

The second half started with Townsend being absolutely clattered by Gerard Garner after making a clearance but the in-form ‘keeper was good to continue.

With 53 minutes on the clock, County got their breathing space back thanks to a peach of a goal.

Neat approach play ended with the ball being spread to Lewis on the left, with Wildig already pointing where he wanted the cross.

The left wing-back delivered, the midfielder diverted it past Mair.

There were quickfire chances at either end with Townsend saving from Jordy Hiwula’s neat flick and them Mair getting down to save at his near post from Lewis Payne after a cracking ball to the right wing-back by Morris.

That was followed by the first Exiles changes after 65 minutes with the front line changed, Zanzala and Palmer-Houlden on for Evans and Jephcott.

Hopes of a calm finale were dashed when the Exiles conceded an extremely soft goal in the 70th minute with Stokes bundling in off the right post, that after Townsend was lucky not to concede a penalty for a clumsy challenge on Garner.

From 3-1 up, County were level-pegging in the 74th minute after the flag stayed down, Hiwula was denied by Townsend but the ball looped up for Edwards to nod in.

The Shrimps should have swiftly hit the front against a leggy-looking defence but Townsend saved with his right boot from Hiwula and then Edwards fired the rebound wide after it came at him quickly.

That was followed by another County cracker to regain the lead in the 78th minute with Zanzala laying the ball off for Charsley to curl in with his left foot.

Back came Morecambe and it took a fine stop by Townsend to deny Hiwula with three minutes left with Garner firing narrowly wide to end the same move.

Zanzala was denied by a defender and the ‘keeper in added time, with the action continuing until the bitter end, Palmer-Houlden slotting as ref Simpson prepared to blow the final whistle.

County: Townsend, Payne, Baker, Bennett (captain), Jameson, Lewis, Morris, Wildig (Waite 88), Charsley (Drysdale 81), Jephcott (Zanzala 65), Evans (Palmer-Houlden 65).

Substitutes: Maxted, Drysdale, Bright, Bondswell, Waite.

Yellow: Wildig, Evans, Jameson Scorers: Wildig (2), Lewis, Charsley, Palmer-Houlden.

Morecambe scorers: Edwards (2), Stokes.

Referee: Scott Simpson.

Attendance: 3,508 (67 Morecambe).