Histon 0 County 0

THE search for a victory continues but Newport County could take some comfort from stopping a run of four successive defeats with a goalless draw at Histon.

Up against spirited hosts who put in a performance that belied their lowly status at the bottom of the division, Tim Harris’ side will have come away from the Glass World Stadium disappointed they did not take all three points though.

Craig Reid had the perfect opportunity to fire the visitors in front when they were awarded a penalty seven minutes from time but his well struck effort was superbly saved by Histon keeper Joe Welch.

It came seven days after Danny Rose missed from the spot in the 3-1 loss to Rushden and Diamonds at Spytty Park.

Ultimately a point was probably a fair result but for Newport this was most certainly a missed opportunity to get back to winning ways.

Histon had the majority of possession in the early stages but Newport created the better chances with Sam Foley twice going close in the first 10 minutes.

His first was an angled drive that cleared the bar by mere inches and the second was a shot from distance that went straight into Welch’s arms.

The Stutes then began to exert more pressure with Lee Smith exciting the home fans with a mazy run down the left, only to see his cross for Daniel Sparkes just drift out of play.

Histon continued to press and they thought they had taken the lead in the 25th minute. Jim Stevenson fired goalwards from 18 yards after a brief spell of Histon pressure. His shot hit the post and though Sparkes slotted in the rebound, his effort was disallowed for offside.

Newport responded in positive manner and moments later winger Graeme Montgomery almost put them in front when he blasted over.

At the other end, the recalled Glyn Garner did not have too much to do in the Newport goal, though he did have to make a save from Lee Wootton’s deflected shot in the 39th minute.

As the first half drew to a close, Darryl Knights should have done better when he surged down the right and even though Remy Clerima slipped, the Newport forward misplaced his pass with Foley waiting to pounce.

Newport made a positive start to the second half with Knights firing just wide and then being denied a clear chance on goal by a good piece of defending from Lanre Oyebanjo.

Debutants Wayne Hatswell and Tom Miller went close but the best chance fell to Reid when a quick counter-attack set him free down the left.

Under pressure from Clerima, he attempted to flick the ball past the onrushing Welch but with the keeper beaten, the ball landed just the wrong side of the far post.

Kerry Morgan almost made an immediate impact when he came on for Knights with 25 minutes to go.

He robbed Zak Mills of possession and played in Foley whose low strike was well saved by Welch.

Two minutes later the substitute tested Welch himself, firing from distance but not getting enough placement to trouble the Stutes goalkeeper.

Morgan was a constant livewire and in the 83rd minute he made another surging run, battling past Mills only to be brought down by the Histon left back in the area.

Reid stepped up to take the penalty but Welch guessed correctly and dived to his right to keep out the spot-kick.

A draw looked inevitable from that moment onwards but both sides kept pushing forward for a winner.

Histon almost snatched it when Omer Riza crossed to Antonio Murray and his fierce drive produced a smart save from Garner.

Newport threw almost everyone forward in the dying minutes but just could not break down a stubborn and hard working defence and ultimately had to be happy to settle for a point.

Histon: Welch, Okay, Oyebanjo, Clerima, Mills, Smith, Wootton, Stevenson, Sparkes (Attwood 75), Murray, Riza (Taaffe 85).

Subs not used: Lawton, Stewart, York,

County: Garner, Bignot, Todd, Rose, Hatswell, Burns (Odhiambo 42), Miller, Montgomery, Knights (Morgan 65), Reid, Foley (Matthews 74).

Subs not used: Thompson, McDonald.

Booked: Burns (37), Hatswell (70).

Referee: S Ross

Attendance: 452