NEWPORT County AFC produced the perfect response to Saturday’s dismal defeat at relegation-threatened Barnet by beating the League Two champions-elect at a rain-soaked Rodney Parade.

Padraig Amond’s first-half strike and Frank Nouble’s late second saw County claim all three points against Accrington Stanley.

Billy Kee pulled one back in the 90th minute for the visitors but they couldn’t force a second and will have to wait to clinch the title.

The Exiles again raised their game against one of the division’s top dogs and the home fans were rewarded for braving the miserable conditions and forgoing the televisual temptations of the Champions League.

Manager Michael Flynn made three changes from the weekend and he got the reaction he wanted on an entertaining night in Newport.

Scot Bennett was ruled out with a foot injury picked up at Barnet, which required five stitches, while David Pipe and Aaron Collins also made way after the disappointing display at The Hive.

Mark O’Brien returned in central defence in place of Bennett, Josh Sheehan came in for Pipe and Nouble replaced Collins.

Ben White shifted to right-back, with Nouble, Sheehan and Robbie Willmott supporting Amond up front.

And, after a slow start in driving rain, that front four clicked into gear and began to cause the league leaders plenty of problems at the back.

Sheehan curled a free-kick over the bar before Nouble crossed from the left for Amond, who headed into the hands of goalkeeper Aaron Chapman.

Nouble then appeared to slip as he missed the target from close range but County deservedly broke the deadlock after half an hour.

Ben Tozer picked out Amond’s run into the box and the former Stanley striker clipped a delightful finish over Chapman and into the far corner.

“Amond’s on fire, your defence is terrified,” sang the fans in the Hazell Terrace as the Irishman celebrated his 13th goal of the season.

The Exiles looked full of confidence and there was a big shout for handball in the Accrington box but referee Lee Swabey was unmoved.

Nouble then went close to doubling the lead as he cut in from the left and unleashed a powerful drive that Chapman did well to tip over the bar.

Stanley, who romped to a 4-0 win at third-placed Wycombe Wanderers at the weekend, offered little in response before the break.

Mickey Demetriou was forced into one superb tackle to deny Kayden Jackson a one-on-one with Joe Day and the Exiles stopper saved with his legs to keep out Sean McConville’s tame effort.

But Flynn’s men were worthy of their lead after an enterprising first 45 minutes.

South Wales Argus:

The second half was more of an end-to-end affair with Stanley showing why they ripped through the division this season but the Exiles matched them stride for stride.

Amond almost added a second five minutes after the restart as he controlled a long ball from Demetriou, held off his man and forced a fine save from Chapman.

The dangerous Jackson then showed his quality as he cut in from the right flank and found League Two’s top scorer Kee but Day did brilliantly to stop his drilled effort with his shins.

Day saved twice more from Jackson and also stopped a Jordan Clark volley as the visitors stepped up the pressure.

At the other end Demetriou got his head to a Matty Dolan free-kick but Chapman saved comfortably before also smothering a Tozer volley.

Day was called upon again to preserve County’s lead in the 67th minute as he pushed Mark Hughes’ far-post volley onto the post and the ball was scrambled away.

The hosts were hanging on and Flynn opted to introduce the fresh legs of Collins for Sheehan, who tired after an encouraging first half display.

And the move paid dividends as County finished strongly with Amond, Nouble and Collins all going close in the final stages before Nouble drilled an unstoppable second under Chapman on 85 minutes.

There were some late nerves as Kee stabbed in from close range to set up a nailbiting five minutes of stoppage time but the Exiles held on to seal a superb win.

County: Day; White, O’Brien, Demetriou, Butler; Dolan, Tozer; Nouble (Hayes, 90), Sheehan (Collins, 71), Willmott; Amond

Subs not used: Bittner, Pipe, Reid, Jahraldo-Martin, Jackson

Booked: White, Demetriou

Referee: Lee Swabey

Attendance: 2,370

Argus star man: Amond