Newport County end losing streak with 2-1 win against Crewe

The Exiles showed dug deep to end their three-game losing streak and settle the nerves after a testing month, denying the Railwaymen a fifth straight win in the process.

County led 1-0 at the break thanks to a thumping drive from outside the box by Cameron Evans in the 33rd minute, the right-back running onto the ball, taking a touch and leathering it in for his first professional goal.

It was level-pegging after a cruel 71st minute with Bobby Kamwa hitting the inside of the right post for the Exiles and Crewe countering for Adrien Thibaut to strike.

However, County swiftly got their noses back in front thanks to centre-back Matt Baker doing a fine Mickey Demetriou impression to head in.

This time they didn’t let the lead slip and they bagged three points with a morale-boosting display.

Just three points but the reaction at the end from the stands shows how timely they were – now the challenge is to repeat the trick on Tuesday when Salford are the visitors.

DELIGHT: Cameron Evans celebrates after firing County into the lead against Crewe (Image: Lewis Mitchell/Huw Evans Agency)

Nelson Jardim made two changes to the XI from the 2-0 defeat at Barrow with captain Aaron Wildig back from concussion and Cameron Antwi recalled to join him in midfield.

The Exiles started in a 4-2-3-1 with Kieron Evans on the right and Bobby Kamwa down the left, and he was straight into the action with his fast feet leading to a third-minute booking for centre-back Jamie Knight-Lebel.

County wasted early set-play opportunities with poor delivery and were happy to see a dangerous Crewe cross from the left by Max Conway just elude dangerman Kane Hemmings.

The hosts had an escape in the 17th minute when Jack Lankester played Shilow Tracey in on goal but he was taken wide by Nick Townsend and then the defence scrambled to clear.

County, with Kieron Evans lively down the right, were competing hard without creating panic in Crewe’s well-marshalled defence.

But it took an incredible recovery tackle by Exiles legend Mickey Demetriou to deny his former side on the half hour after a misjudgement by goalkeeper Filip Marschall, who did well not to handle outside the area after a long ball bounced over his head.

Courtney Baker-Richardson was in on goal but his former teammate, both in Newport and Crewe, came from nowhere with a clean clearing challenge.

However, the hosts didn’t have long to wait for the opener after a rapid break led to Antwi rolling the ball into the path of Cameron Evans, who took a touch and absolutely walloped it past Marschall.

TUSSLE: Mickey Demetriou keeps a close eye on Courtney Baker-Richardson (Image: Lewis Mitchell/Huw Evans Agency)

Delight for the hosts but the goalscorer soon had a nervy moment at the other end with a heavy challenge on Jack Lankester in the box.

It was a risky tackle and there was relief when referee Alan Young waved away the appeals, with the Crewe dangerman booked for his protests.

It certainly fell into the ‘seen them given’ category and the frustrated Lankester had another warning for chirping at the end of the half.

Crewe finished the half on the front foot – with Anthony Glennon booked for an aggressive but clean tackle – but County held firm to lead 1-0 at the break.

They made a sloppy start to the second half but gathered their composure and threatened approaching the hour when a counter-attack ended with Kamwa cutting in and having a shot (that was going wide) blocked.

It was suddenly end to end with Kyle Jameson producing a terrific sliding challenge in his box and Baker-Richardson wasting a break when he failed to find Kieron Evans.

Townsend was forced into action on the hour with a super stop when a Lankester shot deflected off Matt Baker and then Crewe were denied by the offside flag when Adrien Thibaut put the ball in the net shortly after coming on.

Then came the cruel leveller with a patient County attack ending with Wildig laying the ball off for Kamwa to curl against the inside of the right post.

The Railwaymen broke and were level when Thibaut finished at the far post when Ryan Cooney crossed from the right.

Jardim responded by bringing Oliver Greaves on for the flagging Wildig and it was soon 2-1, Baker heading in with a Glennon assist.

Crewe pushed for another equaliser with Conway hitting the side-netting with a half-chance, but the Exiles kept their lead at the clock ticked towards 90.

Jardim brought on the fresh legs of Michael Spellman, Noah Mawene and Kyle Hudlin to try and see the game out but there were groans when seven minutes of added time were indicated.

They were followed by roars when the final whistle went, with Hudlin helping repel late pressure in the box.

County: Townsend, C Evans, Baker, Jameson, Glennon, Morris, Wildig (Greaves 72), K Evans, Antwi (Mawene 88), Kamwa (Spellman 80), Baker-Richardson (Hudlin 88).

Subs not used: Carney, Sanca, Jephcott.

Yellow: C Evans, Glennon.

Goals: C Evans, Baker.

Crewe scorers: Thibaut.

Referee: Alan Young.

Attendance: 4,273 (287 Crewe).