Newport County draw 0-0 with Grimsby as Hudlin penalty saved

The Exiles were forced to settle for a share of the spoils against a Mariners side who travelled to Newport hunting a record sixth successive league win on the road.

Yet it was Nelson Jardim’s men who were the more frustrated after after being denied from the spot in their quest for an opener.

Striker Kyle Hudlin had his effort saved by goalkeeper Jordan Wright in the 59th minute just as midfielder Bryn Morris did in the goalless draw with Fleetwood.

In truth, that was justice after a generous decision by referee James Oldham, who turned down a much better shout in the early stages.

That incident was followed by some late Grimsby pressure and then a golden chance for substitute Courtney Baker-Richardson in a ridiculously open finale.

In the end both teams had to be content with chalking up a point from a good tussle, although it’s now three league Parade games on the bounce without a home goal.

BATTLE: Kieron Evans on the attack for County against Grimsby (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

County made three changes to the XI that lost 2-1 at Tranmere with starts for fit-again full-back Shane McLoughlin and midfielders Kai Whitmore and Kieron Evans.

Central defender Kyle Jameson was suspended, Jamie Miley injured and Michael Spellman dropped down to the bench.

The Exiles lined up in their usual 4-5-1 with McLoughlin rather than Cameron Evans being the right-back slotting in down the left in the continued absence of former Mariner Anthony Glennon.

Grimsby had a big chance for a dream start on two minutes but Kieran Green, after stealing a yard on Kyle Hudlin, failed to hit the target with a header close to the penalty spot from a free-kick.

That was swiftly followed by a moment of controversy with County countering and Bryn Morris playing in Kieron Evans down the right.

The Cardiff prospect burst into the box, chopped back inside and appeared to be brought down but referee James Oldham and his assistant deemed there had been no foul.

It looked like a penalty to the naked eye.

County had the better of the opening exchanges without testing goalkeeper Jordan Wright – Kieron Evans firing over and the ball not quite dropping for Morris to strike in the box – but then they almost shot themselves in the foot twice.

Whitmore was caught in possession as the Exiles looked to break but Green prodded wide and then, on 21 minutes, goalkeeper Nick Townsend did likewise inside his box but slid in on Danny Rose and the ball went wide.

County went close twice in the 23rd minute when Kieron Evans cut in on his left to force Wright into a good stop low to his right and the ‘keeper was up sharply to deny Bobby Kamwa from the rebound.

They were saves you’d expect him to make and he made them solidly.

PROBING: Captain Aaron Wildig looks for a way through in County's clash with Grimsby (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

The game then hit a lull until Grimsby had the ball in the net in the 40th minute – bundled in after a deep cross was nodded across – only to be denied by an offside flag.

County were forced into a change on the stroke of half-time when Kamwa went down off the ball, limped off and was replaced by Spellman.

The half-time whistle was timely with Mr Oldham starting to seriously rile the Amber Army with his decision-making.

The visitors should have hit the front a minute after the restart when the ball fell for half-time substitute Jayden Luker in the box but he wastefully dragged his shot wide.

County had a chance to hit the front after 52 minutes when Kieron Evans and Spellman combined nicely but the cross from the left was followed by wastefulness from Hudlin in the box.

Spellman was to the fore and was denied by a superb save by Wright in the 55th minute, the ‘keeper coming off his line sharply, making himself big and stopping the dinked shot with his right hand.

The pressure should have resulted with the Exiles hitting the front approaching the hour when Hudlin went down in the box after a driving run by Kieron Evans.

It looked less of a penalty than the early shout but Mr Oldham pointed to the spot… only for the striker’s effort low to his right to be well saved by Wright.

County then suffered a blow when captain Aaron Wildig limped off and Grimsby took control.

Townsend had to save sharply from Evan Khouri and then Danny Rose missed a huge chance in the 77th minute when he failed to connect with a cross from the right when unmarked in the middle of the box.

Several County players looked shattered yet Jardim made just one change with his final allowed substitution, striker Courtney Baker-Richardson replacing wide midfielder Kieron Evans.

Baker-Richardson then had a massive chance to strike in the 89th minute when fellow sub Cameron Antwi burst into the box, crossed but the striker couldn’t drag it in.

County wanted all three points and finished the game with plenty of players in the final third but despite eight minutes of added time it finished goalless.

County: Townsend, C Evans, Baker, Brennan, McLoughlin, Morris, Wildig (captain, Antwi 62), K Evans (Baker-Richardson 77), Whitmore, Kamwa (Spellman 43), Hudlin.

Substitutes not used: Carney, Thomas, Clarke, Greaves.

Yellow cards: Wildig, Baker.

Referee: James Oldham.

Attendance: 4,298 (389 Grimsby).