NEWPORT County boss Peter Beadle admits he was happy to escape Sutton United with a point and no injuries after a bruising encounter on Saturday.

A controversial penalty from Jason Bowen cancelled out an early Sutton opener in a game that saw five home players booked.

It leaves the Exiles still two points outside the playoffs with three games remaining, starting at Eastbourne on Tuesday (kick-off 7.45pm).

However, under difficult circumstances on an atrocious pitch, the Exiles boss was happy enough.

He explained: "We are happy enough with a point, Sutton are in good form and are a big, hard team.

"We started poorly again and were very, very fortunate with the penalty, because in my view it was a fair tackle.

"Maybe that was the luck we needed. We don't seem to get it often so we are more than happy to take it.

"We shaded it in the second half without creating much.

"It's been a long, hard eight or nine days. We went to Hayes, then had the Salisbury game, a long trip to Thurrock and then a massive game with Eastbourne.

"We are pleased to have come through with no injuries and with our unbeaten run still intact (now ten games).

"We had a bit of luck on Saturday and on an awful pitch we've come and got another point - we'll look at it as a good job well done.

Beadle is aware Eastbourne will want revenge tomorrow after a 4-0 hammering last week.

"They will want to show us they're still in contention, they will attack us," he said."The boys know what is required from them this week. It's going to go to the final Saturday and we will hang in there with grit and determination.

Beadle is expecting skipper John Brough to return from flu and should travel with a fully fit squad.