PAUL Bignot made a return to Newport County colours as the Exiles started their pre-season with a frustrating 2-2 draw with Caldicot that was overshadowed by a worrying knee injury suffered by striker Lenell John-Lewis.

Bignot is on trial with County, who have headed to Rodney Parade from Spytty Park since his 2011 move to Blackpool that was earned by catching the eye for Dean Holdsworth’s Conference South winners.

The 30-year-old featured in the second half as he tries to impress Warren Feeney and the manager suggested that the full-back, who won an England C cap while with the Exiles, will be a member of the party that will head to Poland for a week-long pre-season tour on Sunday.

Whether John-Lewis will be on the plane seems to be highly unlikely after he landed awkwardly on his right leg in the closing stages before being helped back to the changing rooms, his injury capping a trying evening.

In the end the Exiles took a share of the spoils thanks to a last-gasp free-kick by Jack Compton against a plucky Caldicot side.

As well as Bignot, Feeney also handed a chance to shine to striker Marlon Jackson and a mysterious winger listed as ‘Floro’ on Feeney’s hand-written teamsheet. Details were scarce, he apparently hails from Portugal and was typically technical.

Other than that it was his regulars, new boys and youngsters that took to the pitch at Jubilee Way and while nay-sayers will already be foaming at the mouth after a draw with lowly opposition, events on June 5 show that results, and often performances, in friendlies count for nothing.

Sweden, dumped out in the pool stages of Euro 2016, romped to a 3-0 win against a woeful Wales side who, as we all know, haven’t had things too bad over the past month.

It’s all about blowing away cobwebs, working on a few things and crucially working towards fitness and to that extent it was a job well done for the Exiles as they count down to their August 6 date with Mansfield.

Caldicot won their last nine games of 2015/16 to triumph in Division Two of the Welsh League and their management will have enjoyed their squad getting a rigorous workout ahead of their return to the top flight.

They will have been thrilled with their workout after looking well-organised and determined ahead of their step up; their defensive tenacity was admirable in the second half.

The local Coral was offering odds of 28/1 on a home victory, not quite Leicester odds but they were scenting a scalp with a 12th minute penalty slotted by Rory Garey after a foul by Darren Jones.

The lead didn’t last long with Jackson responding for the Exiles from the spot after Jennison Myrie-Williams’ weaving run was crudely ended, just squeezing the ball past former County keeper Gareth Wesson.

‘Floro’ hit the post and visiting keeper Joe Day was fortunate to see the ball roll wide after being caught out playing sweeper but the hosts had their lead back on the stroke of half-time.

Ashley Palmer launched a long throw into the box and centre-back Matt James, unmarked, side-footed home.

Yet the hosts were still leading 2-1 entering the last 15 minutes with County huffing and puffing in their first tune-up, enjoying almost all possession but finding Caldicot to be Iceland to their England.

Bignot headed wide from a looping cross and John-Lewis controlled brilliantly on his chest but fired wildly over with his left before suffering his worrying blow.

Play resumed after a lengthy delay and County equalised with almost the last kick, Jack Compton dinking over a delightful free-kick with his left peg that went in off the post.

Caldicot: Gareth Wesson, Ashley Palmer, Sam Watkins, Shane Jeremiah, Matt James, Rory Garey, Richard Sharrat, James Gidney, Ben Smith, Mitchell Slade, Ollie Smith. Subs: Alex Jarman, Carl Davies, Tylor Huggett, Murray Ross, Kieron Perrett, Joe Martin, Ben Devine.

Scorers: Gidney, James

County first half: Joe Day, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, Darren Jones, Jamie Turley, Liam Angel, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Tom Owen-Evans, Lewis Bamford, (trialist), Tom Meechan, Marlon Jackson

Second half: Paul Bignot, Scot Bennett, Kieran Parselle, Dan Butler, Jack Compton, Joss Labadie, Tom Owen-Evans, Dafydd Jones, Mark Randall, Lenell John-Lewis

Scorers: Jackson

Ref: Phil Bates (Chepstow)