League Two: Newport County end Salford hoodoo with 3-1 win

The Exiles backed up their 2-1 win against Crewe by totting up three more points to continue a bright start to life under Nelson Jardim.

The success against the Railwaymen had eased the nerves after three losses on the bounce and the hosts made a flying start in Newport.

County led 2-0 at the break thanks to striker Kyle Hudlin getting his first for the club with a 10th-minute header and then captain Aaron Wildig finishing off a sumptuous move in the 25th.

Another first Exiles goal secured the points after 66 minutes when Michael Spellman, fresh from the bench, calmly finished.

Substitute Cole Stockton’s smart finish gave Salford a smidgen of hope with nine minutes to go but thankfully there was no late drama.

TWO: Captain Aaron Wildig slots County's second against Salford (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

County had never beaten Salford in the league – two draws and seven defeats – and the Amber Army weren’t in the stands to watch the 2020 success in the FA Cup.

That made the win and display even more enjoyable; the Exiles played to a plan as a team with some bright individual moments while the Ammies just showed flashes as individuals.

It was a good night for head coach Nelson Jardim after his decision to give a start to Hudlin was backed up by an excellent all-round performance by the towering striker, one that suddenly ensures there is some serious competition for Courtney Baker-Richardson at the top of the 4-2-3-1.

The boss has plenty of time to ponder his selection with the Exiles not in action until Monday in a televised fixture at Bradford City.

Jardim freshened up his XI after the exertions against Crewe but centre-back Ciaran Brennan had to settle for a spot on the bench on his return from a three-match ban.

In came attacking midfielder Noah Mawene and striker Hudlin with Cameron Antwi and Courtney Baker-Richardson among the substitutes.

That decision was vindicated in the tenth minute when Anthony Glennon put an outswinging corner into the box.

Hudlin, 6ft 9ins, leapt and guided a header in at the far post for his first goal for the club and his first competitive strike in almost 14 months.

The Exiles were lively in attack, with Cardiff loanee Kieron Evans against prominent, and they were switched on at the back.

They created a chance in the 23rd minute with a delightful move that saw Bryn Morris drive forward and find Bobby Kamwa on the left but Mawene couldn’t generate enough power from the floated cross to trouble goalkeeper Jamie Jones.

However, the stopper stood no chance in the 26th minute when another delightful move saw a cross from the right flicked on by Hudlin for Wildig to slot with a low shot.

Salford looked a rabble but the Exiles were given a pair of warnings just past the half hour when Nick Townsend had a clearance deflected and then Francis Okoronkwo beat the offside trap and slammed a powerful shot against the right post from a tight angle.

County responded with another neat move that ended with a Kieron Evans shot being deflected behind and then Salford’s Kelly N’Mai gave the hosts another let-off when crossing (to nobody) when well-placed for a shot.

It was 2-0 at the break but the Ammies had some fleet-footed individuals – individuals being a telling word – and showed enough in the closing stages of the first half to suggest that it was far from game over.

It should have been 3-0 in the 54th minute but Kieron Evans failed to hit the target with a volley after more good work by Kamwa.

That was followed by a scare at the other end when a dangerous cross by Haji Mnogoa flashed across the face of goal.

County made it to the hour with their 2-0 lead intact but it wasn’t entirely comfortable, especially when Salford introduced dangerman Stockton.

CLINCHER: County celebrate Michael Spellman's goal (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

However, things were more comfortable in the 67th minute when Kieron Evans burst forward and weighted his pass perfectly for Spellman, fresh on after Kamwa had received a blow to his cheek, to slot left-footed with his first touch.

That seemed to pop Salford’s bubble with County then having chances to extend their lead, the clearest when Cameron Antwi fired over when meeting a cross first time.

However, the visitors had a sniff when Stockton finished smartly on the turn in the 81st minute to fire in low to Townsend’s right.

Salford had a few more half-chances but failed to make it a nervy six minutes of added time as County continue to work towards Jardim’s target of a ‘comfortable’ season.

County: Townsend, C Evans, Baker, Jameson, Glennon, Morris, Wildig (captain, Antwi 55), K Evans (Greaves 83), Mawene, Kamwa (Spellman 65), Hudlin (Baker-Richardson 83).

Substitutes not used: Carney, Brennan, Jephcott.

Goals: Hudlin, Wildig, Spellman.

Yellow: Spellman.

Salford goals: Stockton.

Referee: Scott Jackson.

Attendance: 3,552 (46 Salford).