NEWPORT County AFC threw away three points and then grabbed one back in a topsy-turvy finale at Rodney Parade.

Ben Tozer’s first half header looked to have settled an entertaining contest against fellow strugglers Barnet.

But John Akinde then netted twice in nine minutes to put the visitors on the brink of victory before Sean Rigg earned the Exiles a point with an 89th-minute penalty.

That was the least Graham Westley’s men deserved after bossing much of the match.

It remains to be seen whether it acts as the ‘turning point’ that the manager demanded but the draw at least cuts the gap at the bottom of League Two.

County are now six points from safety with one game in hand.

And they impressed with out two key men as Westley was forced into two changes with Joe Day suspended and Jon Parkin injured.

They were replaced by James Bittner and Rhys Healey respectively, while Paul Bignot and Mark Randall returned in place of Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Jordan Green.

A lot more has changed since this game was originally due to be completed last month, of course.

Westley has replaced Warren Feeney in the dugout and the Exiles have dropped to the bottom of the Football League.

Back on September 3 Feeney’s men trailed to an Akinde goal after just 23 seconds before the match was abandoned at half-time due to a waterlogged pitch.

They undoubtedly made a better start this time, although the visitors again dominated the early stages.

The Bees almost stung County early again but Sam Muggleton’s free-kick curled just off target and Bittner appeared to have it covered.

After early pressure from Barnet the match turned into a battle of the long throws between Muggleton and Tozer.

But the hosts slowly grew in confidence as Kyle Cameron and Grego-Cox went close and Healey missed a glorious chance on 25 minutes.

The striker on loan from Cardiff City was released through the middle and looked as if he would lob County into the lead.

But he instead opted to go with a side-footed effort on the half-volley and Barnet goalkeeper Josh Vickers beat it away to safety.

The reprieve didn’t last long though as Tozer broke the deadlock on 33 minutes with his first goal for the club.

Barnet failed to clear a corner properly and the ball broke to Josh Sheehan, who delivered a delightful cross that Tozer headed backwards and inside the post.

It was no less than Westley’s men deserved and they could have increased their lead before the break through Healey, Grego-Cox and captain Scot Bennett.

Barnet had half chances but Bittner was equal to shots from Mauro Vilhete and substitute Ryan Watson.

The home fans were loving it and gave their side a standing ovation as the half-time whistle sounded.

And County raced out of the blocks after the restart with Healey again through one-on-one from a long ball forward and Vickers again denying him with a fine save at close range.

Healey then played in Grego-Cox but his strike partner fired over the top from the right-hand side of the penalty area.

The youngster on loan from Queens Park Rangers wasted another opportunity shortly afterwards as the Exiles continued to dominate.

But while it stayed at 1-0 it was always going to be nervy and Barnet missed a big chance just after the hour.

Akinde skipped away from an attempted trip by Bennett and a wild lunge from Tozer and squared for Watson who scooped his shot over the bar from inside the 18-yard-box.

At the other end Randall poked one inches wide as the tension kept on rising.

And Akinde levelled on 76 minutes, heading in at the far post after Muggleton’s long throw was flicked on by substitute Jean Louis Akpa Akpro.

He then smashed in a second with five minutes left on the clock to leave the hosts staring down the barrel.

But for once a late penalty decision went their way as substitute Jennison Myrie-Williams was felled in the box and Rigg rolled it in to rescue a point.

County: Bittner, Cameron, Bennett, Jones, Bignot (Barnum-Bobb, 87), Tozer, Rigg, Randall (Green, 77), Sheehan, Grego-Cox (Myrie-Williams 82), Healey

Subs not used: Beauchamp, Butler, Compton, Wood

Booked: Randall, Myrie-Williams

Referee: Graham Salisbury

Attendance: 2,381 (86 Barnet)

Argus star man: Rigg