SECOND-HALF strikes from Robbie Willmott, Ben Kennedy and substitute Keanu Marsh-Brown earned Newport County AFC a 3-1 victory at Yeovil Town.

The hosts, who were plunged deeper into the relegation mire with this result, pulled one back through Welshman Tom James after Willmott and Kennedy had put County in control.

But Marsh-Brown’s stoppage-time screamer sealed back-to-back wins after a two-week break and ensured Michael Flynn’s men move up to 11th in the League Two table, six points below sixth-placed Forest Green Rovers with two games in hand.

Flynn made four changes from the side that had beaten Cheltenham Town on March 15, with Padraig Amond, Ade Azeez, Scot Bennett and Tyreeq Bakinson dropping out.

Harry McKirdy came in for his first start, while Joss Labadie, Josh Sheehan and Kennedy all returned to the starting XI.

McKirdy’s pace caused former Exiles skipper Gary Warren plenty of problems early on, but poor control meant he couldn’t get a shot away as he broke clear in the third minute.

Jamille Matt then released Regan Poole with a superb ball out to the right flank, but the Manchester United youngster overhit his cross and the chance was gone.

That was as good as it got for County in the first half, until Willmott saw a volley from Kennedy’s cross brilliantly blocked by Yeovil defender Joshua Grant a minute before the break.

The hosts were on top for the majority of the first period with midfielders Willmott, Sheehan, Labadie and Kennedy forced into a lot of defensive work and leaving McKirdy and Matt isolated up front.

Alex Dobre beat Poole before seeing his shot blocked by Mickey Demetriou and Matthew Worthington’s effort on the rebound was deflected over.

Sessi D'Almeida headed wide and Dobre had two further attempts on goal before Gabriel Rogers went close from the edge of the area.

But Day was only forced into one proper save in the first half when he beat away a fiercely struck free-kick from Welshman Tom James.

South Wales Argus:

Willmott switched to the right flank at the start of the second half, with Kennedy (above) moving to the left, and Flynn’s men began brightly.

Matt took advantage of a mix-up in the home defence and his knockdown freed McKirdy for a hooked shot that was saved at close range by Nathan Baxter.

And Sheehan sliced a shot wide before the breakthrough came on 62 minutes, just after Marsh-Brown had replaced McKirdy.

Kennedy provided the cross from the left and Willmott headed in off the post, to the delight of the travelling fans behind the goal.

And Kennedy quickly doubled County’s advantage with his first goal for the club as he tried his luck from 25 yards and the ball beat Baxter with the help of a deflection.

The Exiles looked to be in control but a needless corner conceded by Day gave them a lifeline.

James flicked in through a forest of legs with 17 minutes remaining to set up a nervy finale.

Marsh-Brown could have settled matters when he was released by Willmott, but the winger's footing gave way on a pitch that had been watered to a ridiculous degree during the break.

Willmott then forced Baxter into an acrobatic save with a superb half volley and he was inches away from sliding in substitute Azeez’s cross.

But Marsh-Brown did get his first County goal when he blasted into the top corner in the first minute of added time and Azeez could have added a fourth as County sealed a deserved win on the road.

County: Day; Poole, O’Brien, Demetriou, Butler; Kennedy, Labadie (Dolan, 72), Sheehan, Willmott; McKirdy (Marsh-Brown, 60), Matt (Azeez, 85)

Subs not used: Pipe, Crofts, Bakinson, Randall

Booked: Kennedy, McKirdy

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley

Attendance: 3,983 (744 County)

Argus star man: Willmott