NEWPORT County AFC were the stars of Saturday’s Non-League Day as they extended their lead at the top of the Conference to four points, writes Andrew Penman.

The Exiles featured on BBC One’s Football Focus and garnered national headlines as they earned a 1-1 draw at Macclesfield Town.

Tony James gave County a first-half lead before Matthew Barnes-Homer levelled, and manager Justin Edinburgh believes his table-toppers deserve all the plaudits they are getting.

"It’s another week on the top and who would have ever thought we’d be top going into the last week of October?" said Edinburgh, whose side travel to Yate Town in the FA Cup next weekend.

"The players deserve all the accolades they’ve got. I think they’ve shown the desire they have to maintain our unbeaten run.

"We want to win every game we play in but that obviously isn’t going to happen. If we don’t win we want to make sure we leave with a point and we’re eight unbeaten now."

Edinburgh was particularly pleased with the way his defence coped under pressure at Moss Rose, even after they lost Ismail Yakubu and David Pipe through injury.

"We had to make changes at the back because we lost Ismail and we lost Pipey but I think we stood up to the task," he said.

"Pipey has got a bit of a groin problem and we’re hoping it’s not too serious. Ismail had a nasty whack on the back of his calf.

"But we were solid. We kept them wide and they were knocking a lot of balls into the box. On the break we always looked dangerous and had the better chances.

"And if Andy Sandell hadn’t lost his footing it probably wouldn’t have been a goal but for all their possession and endeavour second half they were worthy of the point."