Newport County end losing streak with 2-0 win at Gillingham

The Exiles won on their travels for only the second time this streaky season to end a three-match losing run, digging deep for three hard-earned points.

County hit the front in the 16th minute at Priestfield Stadium when Matt Baker, a Wales Under-21s international from Kent who started his career at Gillingham, smashed in a volley that will be a goal of the season contender.

The lead was doubled in the 33rd minute when Kyle Hudlin controlled a Bobby Kamwa cross and then fired in a low finish on the turn.

It was one-way traffic after the restart and horrendous viewing from a nervy Newport standpoint, but they somehow got through it with only their second clean sheet of the league campaign to condemn their hosts to a fifth loss on the spin.

County have done the double over the Gills for the past two seasons and now will have a crack at a hat-trick when the teams meet in Newport in March.

That’s way down the line, first the hot-and-cold Exiles will attempt to ensure they keep producing results in batches by backing up the success when they welcome Fleetwood to Rodney Parade on Saturday.

SECOND: Kyle Hudlin fired County into a 2-0 lead at Gillingham (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Victory eased some of the pressure that was building on boss Nelson Jardim, who made four changes to the XI with starts for defenders Cameron Evans and Baker, midfielder Jamie Miley and striker Hudlin.

Newcastle loanee Miley slotted straight into the starting line-up on his return from a hernia operation after being injured on debut in the EFL Trophy at the start of September.

County stuck with a back four but with Baker and Evans as full-backs and Anthony Glennon, who looks more comfortable as a wing-back, pushed forward.

They had a chance in the third minute when Hudlin caused problems for the Gillingham defence but captain Aaron Wildig couldn’t generate the power to sufficiently trouble goalkeeper Jake Turner with a lob.

It should have been 1-0 to the Gills in the 10th minute when the Exiles were cut open down the right but Nick Townsend did superbly to get a touch to deny Jayden Clarke a fifth goal of the season.

That proved to be a key moment in a clash between sides on losing runs.

There was nothing the ‘keeper at the other end could do in the 16th minute when Glennon swung in a free-kick that had been won by Kamwa.

Baker met it on the volley and smashed it into the top right corner for his third goal of the season, having started the campaign without a professional strike in his burgeoning career.

Kamwa created a half-chance for County to extend their lead in the 24th minute but the defence reacted swiftly to block from Glennon, but it was 2-0 in the 33rd minute with the Exiles once again causing the problems down the right.

STRONG: Kyle Jameson produced the goods for County in defence at Gillingham (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

Former Wales international Jonny Williams was disposed by Miley for Baker to drive forward and release Kamwa, who crossed low into the box first time.

Hudlin controlled the ball and, with centre-back Max Ehmer not tight enough, pivoted before smashing into the bottom left corner with his left peg.

County defended their box well to hold their two-goal advantage as half-time approached, with the wall doing a sterling job when Timothee Dieng struck a free-kick from the edge of the area.

The hosts tried to ramp up the pressure in the closing stages of the half but the Exiles did a professional job to have a two-goal advantage when heading to their changing room.

Jardu was forced into a change for the second half with the introduction of Kai Whitmore for Bryn Morris to shield the defence.

There was a huge chance for the Gills soon after the start when Remeao Hutton crossed from the right but Jack Nolan failed to connect from close range.

It was a sloppy start to the half by the Exiles, which got the crowd involved in the game, with a clanger by Baker forcing Jameson into a strong block six yards out.

It was all Gillingham with Townsend wisely trying to take the sting out of the game only to get a warning from referee Farai Hallam for time-wasting.

The ‘keeper then had to be quickly and bravely off his line in the 57th minute to deny Marcus Wyllie in a one-on-one, then Dieng nodded wide.

Jardim turned to his bench approaching the hour when bringing on Kieron Evans for Kamwa and Courtney Baker-Richardson for Hudlin, then Cameron Antwi for the excellent Miley after his tank was empty.

The clock seemed to be ticking slowly and it took a superb reaction save by Townsend, flicking out his right hand, to deny Williams in the 73rd minute.

Glennon’s improved performance ended in the 80th minute with the introduction of Michael Spellman as the finish line got closer.

Gillingham switching for a more direct approach with the introduction of Oli Hawkins seemed to suit County and they got the job done.

County: Townsend, C Evans, Baker, Brennan, Jameson, Glennon (Spellman 79), Morris (Whitmore 45), Miley (Antwi 65), Wildig (captain), Kamwa (K Evans 59), Hudlin (Baker-Richardson 59).

Substitutes not used: Carney, Clarke.

Goals: Baker, Hudlin.

Yellow: Brennan, Jameson.

Referee: Farai Hallam.