Keiron Evans steps up in Newport County's 0-0 draw at Notts

The Exiles frustrated promotion-chasing Notts County in an entertaining goalless draw in the East Midlands.

This was not a dour draw and, in truth, the Magpies should have claimed a maximum haul to put them in the top three rather than just outside it.

They have 27 shots, Lewis Macari hit the bar with a second-half header and there were opportunities for Jevani Brown, David McGoldrick, Geoge Abbott, Sam Austin, Alassana Jatta and Cedwyn Scott.

Yet the Exiles could have hit them on the counter-attack with a bit more quality and had late openings when Courtney Baker-Richardson had a shot deflected wide on the break and Cameron Antwi worked space before firing a yard past the post from distance.

Nelson Jardim’s side were left to be content with an unexpected and hard earned point on their travels that helps towards the target of staying away from the relegation scrap.

Here are some talking points from Meadow Lane...

LEADER: County centre-back Ciaran Brennan is growing in influence (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

DEFENSIVE DUO

I was slightly surprised an hour before kick-off against Grimsby when co-captain James Clarke was still on the bench with Ciaran Brennan and Matt Baker paired together at the heart of the defence.

That decision was backed up with a clean sheet against the Mariners and another against the Magpies, even if Notts really should have converted at least one of their opportunities.

Brennan (R) and Baker (L) look a well-balanced duo and they have done the basics well but are also comfortable on the ball, with hopefully more to come on that front.

Brennan arrived from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer and already looks captaincy material.

The 24-year-old has learned from a couple of lows when sent off for losing his cool against Port Vale and when at fault for the opener at Tranmere.

Baker’s promise was clear from two spells on loan from Stoke and he is making more progress now that he is permanently on the books.

County need to be a selling club and, after cashing in on Will Evans last summer, two of their best assets on the current roster are the centre-backs.

Fingers crossed they will be in Newport for a while and it’s also important that they are kept on their toes by James Clarke and Kyle Jameson, who is now back from a second suspension.

Central defence was a nightmare in September but it’s currently looking healthy, while the return of classy and dependable Shane McLoughlin at full-back has been a huge help.

IMPRESSIVE: Kieron Evans was a strong performer in Newport County's midfield at Meadow Lane (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

MIDDLE MAN

County will miss Aaron Wildig for the rest of the season but Kieron Evans did a pretty good job after having first crack at filling his boots.

The Cardiff loanee was moved from a wide role to being central and produced an accomplished display.

There were a few hairy moments – and one loose pass in the first half could, perhaps should, have been punished by Notts – but Evans was keen to get on the ball and stuck to the task without it.

He had a crucial role in ensuring that plenty of the Magpies’ passes – and their tally of 418 was lower than their season average of 482.5, while Newport’s of 298 was higher than theirs of 247.8 – took took place away from the Exiles’ third.

Evans had County's third highest pass tally with 45 behind McLoughlin (58) and goalkeeper Nick Townsend (48), with a success rate of 84 per cent.

He made four clearances, an interception, made five recoveries and three blocks.

Encouragingly still had the legs to drive forward at the death for Baker-Richardson’s chance, although with debutant Geoffroy Bony also in support they didn’t really make the most of the breakout.

His performance was all the more important because Bryn Morris hadn’t been able to have a full training week and was replaced in the second half.

If fellow loanees Jamie Miley and Noah Mawene were fit then perhaps the Bluebirds prospect wouldn’t have got this opportunity to show what he can do but he deserves to stay in the role at AFC Wimbledon next time out.

PRESSURE: Classy Notts forward David McGoldrick attempts to win the ball off Luke Jephcott (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

MONEY TALKS

Notts hammered the Exiles twice last season and it could well have been the same again had the influential pair of Jodi Jones and Danny Crowley been fit.

However, they still boasted a player who would transform the Newport side in McGoldrick, who had a number of chances and took up some wonderful positions behind Jatta.

The forward tormented County with Derby in the FA Cup in 2022 and, even though he turns 37 on Friday, is too good for the fourth tier.

That will show in his pay packet while the Exiles are still trying to find the right man to slot in behind their lone striker, with EFL novice Kai Whitmore currently there to bring energy rather than McGoldrick’s composure and vision.

Wildig’s woe led to Luke Jephcott coming in from the cold and operating as a ‘10’ for the closing stages.

He showed some nice touches and clearly has some quality but didn’t look particularly sharp after weeks on the sidelines and probably isn’t the future.

Nor has anyone really grabbed the role as the targetman with Kyle Hudlin having an off day in the East Midlands before Baker-Richardson added some aggression with the press.

The ball didn’t stick enough and County no longer have the willing running, big engine and goal threat of Will Evans after his £200,000 move to Mansfield.

That sort of money will never be spent by Newport and they will try to find some gems, with the hope that Bony will be able to add some attacking threat when he gets settled.