NEWPORT County AFC threw away a commanding position to lose 3-2 at bogey side Morecambe with Kevin Ellison once again a thorn in the side of the Exiles.

Two goals in three first half minutes from Adam Chapman and Aaron O’Connor looked to have given Justin Edinburgh's men their first win of the League Two campaign.

Chapman blasted in from the edge of the area on 27 minutes after Robbie Willmott’s free-kick deflected off the wall.

And two minutes later O’Connor was in the right place at the right time to bundle the ball in on the line and put the visitors in charge.

Justin Edinburgh’s men were after revenge over Morecambe having suffered home and away defeats to the Shrimps last season, losing 3-2 at home and 4-1 at the Globe Arena.

But the hosts fought back in the second half with Ellison, who won two penalties against Tom Naylor last season, again at the forefront.

A fabulous free-kick from the 35-year-old reduced the deficit on 58 minutes as his 25-yard strike flew past Lenny Pidgeley.

Then five minutes later it was 2-2 after a mix-up between Pidgeley and Darren Jones allowed Ellison to nip in and nod home his second of the game.

And the fightback was complete on 84 minutes as substitute Paul Mullin found himself in acres of space at the far post to head past Pidgeley.

Edinburgh said: "After a very good start and a very good opening 45 minutes, it was a typical case of shooting yourself in the foot.

"We've just got to see the game out there; it's a free header in the box, it's criminal," he said of the winning goal.

"I don't think they've beaten us, I think we've beaten ourselves today and that's the really disappointing factor."

Meanwhile, the draw for the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy took place live on Soccer AM on Saturday morning. 

County AFC were drawn in the south west section against League One Swindon Town.

The tie is to be played in the first week of September, but may be moved due to the NATO Summit to be held in Newport the same week.