NEWPORT County showed that they do have the fight and determination to scrap their way out of the Conference South relegation zone with a gutsy draw at Bognor Regis Town on Saturday.

It took a controversial penalty five minutes into stoppage time for County to earn parity, but how priceless Ian Hillier's spot kick could prove to be by the end of April

Mauled and humiliated a week ago by Weymouth, County's players owed manager Peter Beadle a better performance and they responded. The players flew into tackles, looked far more resolute in defence and used the ball more diligently.

Hillier was restored at centre back to partner John Brough and both were outstanding - Brough seems to be the answer to County supporters' prayers - a dominant and experienced centre-half to replace Darren Jones.

Brough, after two games, already appears to be the leader of the County defence, his experience giving him the seniority to bark instructions and marshal the back four, a job he did on Saturday with much aplomb in a man-of-the-match performance.

Both first-choice left-backs failed to make the trip, Geraint Bater was suffering with flu and Andy Legg stubbed his toe, Paul Cochlin deputised.

Ashley Williams filled in at right full-back in the absence of Terry Evans, who has been AWOL all week. County were well supported, with many friends and family (around 100) turning out to honour the memory of Newport fan Lemy Bullock, tragically murdered a year ago.

He was remembered with a minute's applause before the game, and the afternoon was a fitting tribute to Lemy.

One supporter did interrupt the game by running onto the pitch and the East Sussex police arrested one Newport supporter for fighting, though it was with another Newport fan. The social club was closed as a result.

County started in frighteningly similar fashion to how they played at Weymouth - Conference South top-scorer Ben Watson had missed three gilt- edged chances within the opening 11 minutes.

In the first minute he was sent clear by partner Luke Nightingale, but Tony Pennock saved smartly with his legs.

Two minutes later Watson hit the side netting after again finding himself one on one with Pennock, before the stopper foiled him again.

However, County were in no mood to be dominated and they created the better chances and played the better football.

Craig Hughes, Matt Green and Gary Fisken all came close, before goalkeeper Craig Stoner produced one of the saves of the season on 40 minutes.

Fisken's intelligent pass found Hughes, who cut in from an acute angle on the left and lashed a superb effort at goal, Stoner in- credibly turning it onto the underside of the bar.

It was a turning-point in the contest; for all County's pressure they had failed to make a breakthrough and two minutes after the restart they were losing.

The goal came via a defensive error; Ashley Williams gave the ball away to Kevin Murphy, who found Nightingale with a hopeful ball. The former Portsmouth man brilliantly beat Nathan Davies and picked his spot in the bottom left-hand corner.

Five minutes later Green missed a sitter from six yards and County looked in trouble.

County's misery was compounded further when Fisken was sent off on 63 minutes; he can have few complaints after two late challenges resulted in two yellow cards, though the first was for persistent infringement.

Manager Beadle responded by sending on attackers Sam O'Sullivan and Matt Prosser as County chased the game.

O'Sullivan missed a great chance as Hughes and Green also tested Stoner, but time was ebbing away. County threw the kitchen sink at Bognor with an aerial bombardment and they got their reward deep into injury time. A high corner was scrambled around in the penalty area and goalkeeper Stoner got a slight touch on Green - no-one appealed for a penalty - but the generous referee Mr Slaughter pointed to the spot anyway.

After much debate (usual taker Jason Bowen, who has never missed a penalty, was substituted) as to who should take the crucial kick, Hillier bravely stepped forward and buried it in the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

The players showed that they do care and are ready for a relegation scrap. What a shame they've not shown such high commitment levels all season.

Bognor: Stoner, Piper, Rowland (Birmingham 68), Beck, Balfe, Murphy, Watson, Howell, Hudson, Nightingale, Hodgson (Budd 62). Subs not used: Johnson, Kirkwood and Hunwick. Booked: Budd (foul, 88).

County: Pennock, Williams, Cochlin, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen (C) (Prosser 75), Fisken, Green, Hughes, Toppar (O'Sullivan 67). Subs not used: Bailey, Blackburn. Booked: Cochlin (foul, 37), Hillier (foul 66), O'Sullivan (dissent 84). Sent off: Fisken - two yellow cards - (59 and 63). Referee: Andrew Slaughter. Attendance: 425.