NEWPORT County AFC retained top spot in the Blue Square Bet Premier despite conceding a late leveller in the early kick-off at Macclesfield Town's Moss Rose ground.

Defender Tony James gave County the lead slightly against the run of play two minutes before the break and Aaron O'Connor should have doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

The Exiles' top scorer blasted the ball over the bar from two yards out with the goal gaping and it was to prove a costly miss.

The hosts dominated the second half and only some heroic defending from James, Ismail Yakubu, David Pipe and Andy Sandell kept Justin Edinburgh's side ahead.

But, just as it looked like they had weathered the Silkmen's storm, ex-Luton striker Matthew Barnes-Homer popped up at the far post to head past Lenny Pidgeley on 82 minutes and earn his side a deserved point.