Newport County last night finally made THREE new signings in a bid to fend off relegation with the arrival of Cortez Belle, Nick Harrhy and Justin Tyrell while a goalkeeper was due to sign this afternoon, all snapped up ahead of tomorrow's Nationwide South clash at Weymouth.

Chester City striker Belle at last becomes a Newport player until the end of the season after a month and a half of negotiations that made the 100-year war look like a flash in the pan.

In the last ten days Exiles' supporters have had to endure the sort of purgatory normally reserved for dentist waiting rooms as they have been kept on tenterhooks for news of fresh signings since manager John Cornforth's promise of new signings at a fans' forum last week.

But last night their fears abated with the signing of former Bristol City Youth and Gravesend striker Nick Harrhy and Willenhall Town attacker Justin Tyrell and the news that a 'keeper was also to be unveiled later today.

All will be in the squad for tomorrow's match (kick-off 3pm) but it is the signing of Belle that will cheer supporters the most.

The towering striker's name has lingered around Spytty Park for a couple of years after two attempts to sign him bombed at the last minute.

Both times the former Newport YMCA player shook then manager Peter Nicholas' hand and agreed verbally to sign but opted in favour of firstly Merthy and latterly Chester.

But no harm was done and he will certainly bring tremendous power and purpose to County's bid to beat the drop, his signing coming just in time as the Exiles are struggling second bottom of the division with ten games to go.

"It has been a very positive week," said Cornforth.

County spokesman Colin Everett said: "We are pleased and relieved to be in this position.

"There was a lot of pressure and expectancy from the fans after our fans' forum last week and we have to thank the supporters for their patience."

With tomorrow's game in mind, Cornforth was keeping his cards close to his chest regarding hisline-up, but he admitted it was another vital clash.

Weymouth are in a fair bit of turmoil this season and this week sacked their second manager of the campaign, Steve Johnson walking the plank in midweek after just four months in charge.

"With ten games to go they are all massive. We won 2-0 down there earlier in the season (in the GLS Cup) but it is hard to know what to expect from them.

"Sometimes when a manager leaves the players pull out a performance and I know that there are a couple of guys taking them tomorrow that would like to stake a claim for the job on a permanent basis.

"We just have to concentrate on what we have to do," added Cornforth.

Newport County: (from) Delve, L Phillips, Morgan, D Jones, Thomas, Eckhardt, Curran, Davies, G Jones, Williams, Bowen, O'Sullivan, Belle, Harrhy, Tyrell, Evans, Hooper, Muncher, Morris.

l The Exiles reunion is being held in the social club tonight, doors open 7.30pm. All Newport County supporters, past and present, are welcome, tickets £5 including a buffet and a disco.