ON THE day that both clubs came together to celebrate the life of Justin Edinburgh, it was perhaps appropriate that Newport County AFC and Leyton Orient shared the points at an emotionally-charged Rodney Parade.

It wasn’t the result that County needed to halt their terrible run of form in League Two, but it could have been worse for Michael Flynn’s men.

They were 1-0 down after just one minute of the contest and looked to be heading for a seventh defeat in nine league games before substitute Padraig Amond rescued a point with his 10th goal of the season eight minutes from the end.

That gave the County faithful something to cheer, but they have now gone nine without a win in the league and haven’t picked up three points since October 19.

There were three changes from the Boxing Day defeat at Exeter City with Tom King back in goal, George Nurse drafted into midfield and Tristan Abrahams up front.

Nick Townsend, Taylor Maloney and Amond all dropped to the County bench, which only contained six substitutes.

Youngster Lewis Collins, who made such a big impact late on at St James Park, missed out due to illness but there was a sense of optimism before kick-off as both sides and both sets of fans paid tribute to Edinburgh with a minute of applause. That good feeling lasted roughly 60 seconds for County as they made the worst possible start.

Orient captain Josh Wright swung in a free-kick and Ruel Sotiriou headed past King as the clock ticked over from 59 seconds to one minute.

It was the last thing the Exiles needed after such a poor run and they were nearly 2-0 down when Lee Angol volleyed over.

Ryan Nurse then got away with a risky challenge in the penalty area on Jordan Maguire-Drew and Ryan Inniss got back to prevent Angol getting another shot away as the visitors dominated the early stages.

But the Exiles slowly regained their composure and began to create opportunities at the other end.

Haynes’ low free-kick was easily saved by visiting goalkeeper Sam Sargeant and Nurse whipped in a tempting cross from the left but Jamille Matt’s header lacked the power to trouble the Orient stopper.

The Londoners always looked dangerous on the break, but County were on top before the break and were a little unfortunate to go in at half-time a goal down.

Josh Sheehan curled a free-kick inches wide, Mickey Demetriou just failed to get a proper connection on a Haynes corner and Danny McNamara crossed for Inniss to test Sargeant with a glancing header.

South Wales Argus:

Supporters from both clubs were on their feet and clapping again as the clock hit 50 minutes to mark what would have been Edinburgh’s 50th birthday just before Christmas.

There was precious little on-field action in the first 20 minutes of the second half and it was no surprise when Flynn opted to change things.

Amond replaced Haynes in the 64th minute as County switched to a 3-4-3 formation with Scot Bennett dropping back into defence.

The change lifted the crowd and appeared to spark the hosts into life for a brief period as Amond almost poked home at the far post with his first touch.

But that fresh impetus soon ebbed away and Flynn really went for broke when he threw on Dominic Poleon for Inniss with 11 minutes remaining.

County ramped up the pressure and it finally told in the 82nd minute when Amond snuck around the back of the Orient defence and hammered home a half volley to level the match.

Finally, Rodney Parade was rocking and the home supporters urged their side on in search of a winner.

Amond almost provided it as his cut-back just evaded Matt, Abrahams and Poleon in the middle in the 87th minute.

But, try as they might, Flynn’s men couldn’t force the winner their overall display deserved and they almost lost it as Orient sub James Brophy saw a shot deflected just off target in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time.

County: King, McNamara, Inniss (Poleon, 79), Demetriou, Haynes (Amond, 64); Sheehan, Bennett, Labadie, Nurse; Matt, Abrahams

Subs not used: Townsend, Jefferies, Dolan, Maloney

Booked: Bennett, McNamara

Referee: Lee Swabey

Attendance: 4,447 (453 Orient)

Argus star man: Amond