MICHAEL Flynn celebrated his first anniversary as Newport County AFC boss with a much-needed win at Huish Park to kick-start his side’s League Two play-off push.

The visitors had gone into the match without a league victory in seven but Josh Sheehan and Paul Hayes struck after the break to take the Exiles up to 11th in the table.

A huge boost for County was the return from suspension of captain Joss Labadie, who had missed the previous two games.

Midfielder Ben Tozer, one of three ex-Yeovil men in the visitors’ starting XI, formed a three at the back alongside Mickey Demetriou and Ben White.

That was because Mark O’Brien failed to shake off a knock sustained against Forest Green Rovers four days earlier.

David Pipe also missed the trip following stomach cramps in midweek, so the versatile Robbie Willmott switched to his right wing-back berth.

County began well with Sheehan making his first start for the club since signing permanently in January, although the Exiles weren’t able to create anything in the final third.

Yeovil, however, did and Joe Day was called on twice in quick succession to deny Connor Smith and then giant defender Omar Sowunmi.

His save from Sowunmi’s bullet header came seconds after Day had pushed Smith’s quick free-kick around the post.

The early indications were that there wasn’t much between the two teams, although Yeovil did enjoy more territory and possession without making a breakthrough.

Yeovil keeper Jonathan Maddison was a spectator for most of the first half.

He didn’t really have to work until the 36th minute when a corner was only half cleared and Matty Dolan’s scuffed effort bounced up for Padraig Amond but his header was tipped over.

A 45 minutes largely free of incident ended with Glovers captain Francois Zoko going into the book for a heavy challenge on Demetriou.

It was mistimed and left Demetriou needing treatment but referee Lee Collins just about got it right in dishing out a yellow card rather than red.

Like the first half, the Exiles started the second period reasonably brightly.

A Demetriou header looked to be goal-bound before a Yeovil player got in its way, then Willmott, played in by Amond, fired narrowly wide.

Between those two chances there was an opening for the hosts, but Sam Surridge couldn’t find the target when one-on-one with Day.

Soon after Willmott’s miss, a close-range header from Zoko went just past the post.

Zoko and Yeovil were left to rue that missed opportunity as only a few minutes later County were ahead, the goal coming seconds after Frank Nouble had replaced Amond.

The deadlock was broken when White, who had found himself deep in opposition territory, slid the ball back to Sheehan and the former Swansea City ace slotted fired into the far corner.

Yeovil, as expected, did their best to find an equaliser, and they would have had it on 67 minutes but for Day.

Thomas James swung in a cross from the left and Zoko powered a header which seemed destined for the bottom corner.

However, Day came to his side’s rescue with a stunning one-handed save down to his right - Day would deny Zoko again later on.

County might have doubled their advantage at the other end, Hayes being played into space but clearing the crossbar with his shot.

That might have proved costly but Yeovil struggled to muster anything in response and, if anything, County had the better chances in the closing stages.

Substitute Aaron Collins found himself in acres of space but rather than look for a teammate, he chose to try and do it all on his own, wasting a great position in the process.

He then fashioned another opening only to blast over the bar.

There was late pressure on the County goal but it was the Newport fans who were celebrating again deep into stoppage time.

Nouble had a big impact after coming on and he was at the heart of Hayes’ clincher, the latter sweeping home the former’s pass to make absolutely sure of the three points.

Yeovil: Maddison, Whelan, Sowunmi, James, Dickson, Green (Browne 70), Smith, Wing, Khan (Fisher 77), Surridge (Barnes 59), Zoko (capt). Subs not used: Bird, Mugabi, Nelson, Donnellan.

Booked: Zoko County: Day, Willmott (Collins 84), Butler, White, Demetriou, Dolan (Bennett 81), Labadie (capt), Tozer, Sheehan, Hayes, Amond (Nouble 56). Subs not used: Bittner, Jackson, McCoulsky, Reid.

Booked: Hayes, Labadie

Referee: Lee Collins

Attendance: 2,880 (including 439 County fans)

Argus star man: Paul Hayes