IT WASN’T the win they needed to climb off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone but this was another precious point for Newport County AFC.

County extended their unbeaten run to five matches with a battling performance to hold the League Two leaders.

It wasn’t pretty and they had to withstand a lot of pressure from the visitors in the closing stages but the point was well deserved.

And the Exiles fans responded to the fighting spirit their side showed to create a fantastic atmosphere at Rodney Parade.

The supporters welcomed another new face as Maxime Blanchard, whose signing was announced just over an hour before kick-off, came straight into the starting XI.

The Frenchman, a free agent after his release from Irish side Shamrock Rovers last summer, slotted into a defensive midfield role in place of injured captain Scot Bennett.

And Blanchard, who previously played for Plymouth Argyle and Tranmere Rovers, enjoyed an accomplished debut alongside Mitch Rose.

Bennett’s absence due to a knee problem meant Darren Jones led the side into battle on a sand covered pitch that resembled the beach at Barry Island.

Sadly it was too cold for ice cream and with the leaders in town there was no chance for the County defence to get the deckchairs out.

Instead Graham Westley’s men set about the visitors with energy and enthusiasm – none more so that David Pipe, who almost opened the scoring in the second minute.

The Exiles talisman rose highest in the box and saw his close range header tipped over the bar by Doncaster goalkeeper Ian Lawlor.

Rose tried his luck from distance but his shot was off target and bobbled wide of Lawlor’s post.

Dan Butler blasted a free-kick towards the top corner but it was headed clear after half an hour and, in stoppage time, Sid Nelson headed wide from Craig Reid’s corner.

In between the chances for Pipe and Nelson, Doncaster slowly began to get to grips with the pitch and showed the kind of quality that has swept them to the top of the table and earned Darren Ferguson the manager of the month award for January.

Joe Day got down well to gather Jordan Houghton’s shot on 11 minutes and the Exiles stopper could only palm away a John Marquis effort before Andy Williams’ centre was scrambled away.

Day denied Marquis again before the break but the hosts matched the leaders in terms of work rate and chances created in the first 45 minutes.

Jaanai Gordon, the goal hero at Cheltenham Town last Saturday, replaced Aaron Williams for the second half but the first chance fell to the visitors as Day kept out Andy Williams’ snap shot.

At the other end Rose tried to chip out of a bunker like his namesake Justin but misjudged it and saw the ball balloon high and wide of Lawlor’s goal.

The final half hour saw Rovers crank up the pressure and County picked up a trio of yellow cards as Jones, Rose and Blanchard were all cautioned.

Day came out and failed to claim a free-kick from Craig Alcock but the Exiles survived.

The final whistle was greeted by cheers and chants of 'We are staying up' from the Hazell Stand.

And, while the draw still leaves them two points from safety, it demonstrated once again to relegation rivals Leyton Orient, Notts County, Crewe Alexandra, Cheltenham and Accrington Stanley that County certainly won’t go down without a fight.

County: Day, Nelson, Jones, O’Brien, Pipe, Blanchard, Rose, Butler, Reid, Williams (Gordon, 46), Bird

Subs not used: Bittner, Parselle, Flynn, Owen-Evans, Sheehan, Samuel

Booked: Jones, Rose, Blanchard

Referee: David Webb

Attendance: 2,653 (396 Doncaster)

Argus star man: Nelson