JOSS Labadie punished Cambridge United again with a stoppage-time winner for Newport County AFC at the Abbey Stadium.

It looked like County would have to settle for a draw after Shawn McCoulsky’s 10th goal of the season was cancelled out by a Jevani Brown stunner 14 minutes from time.

But Labadie was on hand to bundle in the winner in the 93rd minute after Matty Dolan's free-kick was only half cleared.

The dramatic late win lifted Michael Flynn's men to ninth in the League Two table - one point below the play-off places.

Ben Tozer returned to the centre of midfield in place of for U’s man Robbie Willmott in the one change from last week’s 3-3 draw with Carlisle United.

That was a match marred by some abysmal defending from the Exiles but the back three held firm in a first 45 minutes dominated by the hosts.

Dolan blasted a half volley out of the stadium after five minutes but after that it was one-way traffic until McCoulsky’s opener.

George Maris fired just wide from Medy Elito’s cross and Joe Day almost gifted the U’s the lead after 20 minutes.

The goalkeeper raced out of his goal but his attempted clearance was charged down by Ade Azeez and Mickey Demetriou did well to clear the danger.

Maris then smashed another shot over the bar before Mark O’Brien produced a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Jake Carroll.

O’Brien appeared to pick up an injury in that challenge and the Irishman was replaced by Scot Bennett for the second half.

But County were ahead by that stage after McCoulsky broke the deadlock against the run of play on 42 minutes.

Joss Labadie, who bagged a brace to beat Cambridge in the FA Cup two weeks ago, forced a fine save out of David Forde and McCoulsky was on hand to slam in the rebound.

The Bristol City striker almost doubled the advantage with a header shortly afterwards but County were more than happy to go in a goal to the good.

Labadie had a chance to make it 2-0 three minutes after the restart but his shot from Frank Nouble’s knockdown was well saved by Forde and Bennett missed the target from the edge of the area.

At the other end Cambridge sub Piero Mingoia hooked over the bar before David Pipe was forced off and replaced by Willmott, who was booed by the home fans.

Azeez fired high and wide after being played in by Jevani Brown and Day denied Bradley Halliday before saving superbly from Paul Lewis’ header.

A goal was coming for the hosts and it duly arrived in the 76th minute as the ball broke to Brown, who thumped it past Day from 25 yards.

Bennett wasted another chance to win it for County but it the hosts who looked most likely in the closing stages before Labadie's dramatic late intervention snatched all three points.

County: Day; White, O’Brien (Bennett, 46), Demetriou; Pipe (Willmott, 57), Dolan, Tozer, Butler; Labadie; Nouble, McCoulsky (Amond, 86)

Subs not used: Bittner, Owen-Evans, Rigg, Reynolds

Booked: White, Nouble, Labadie

Referee: Chris Sarginson

Attendance: 3,632 (143 County)

Argus star man: Day