A LATE free-kick from substitute Andy Sandell earned Newport County AFC a shock three points at Portsmouth – their first win of the League Two campaign.

Substitute Sandell, who started the season as captain before being dropped last week, proved a point as his 84th minute strike beat everyone and home goalkeeper Paul Jones could only watch as it drifted beyond him and into the net.

Justin Edinburgh’s men survived a barrage of second half pressure from promotion favourites Pompey before and after the goal but survived to repeat their victory at Fratton Park last season.

Edinburgh said: "We’ve shown today how much belief we have in this squad.

"I have great belief and respect for these players and the quality they have and it’s starting to show now.

"For us as a football club, coming to a place like this is incredible," he added.

"Eight years ago they were winning at Goodison Park in the Premier League and we were playing in the Conferenece South at Hampton & Richmond.

"So we’ve got to remember where we’ve come from in such a short space of time.

"We were bottom of the Conference when I came to the club and today we’ve won away in front of 16,500.

"I think people have got to enjoy that because it’s a fantastic result and a fantastic day for us.

"We’ll always remain positive but we are a small club competing in the Football League for only the second time in our history.

"I think days like today are really enjoyable and something we can build on."