NEWPORT County AFC enjoyed a remarkable turnaround to stun Sutton United 3-2 at the death on Tuesday night to keep the heat on the teams above them in League Two.

The Exiles trailed 2-0 at half-time after goals by elusive winger David Ajiboye either side of a red card for Sutton captain Craig Eastmond.

Lewis Collins fired County back into the game from distance, Courtney Baker-Richardson scrambled a levelled and then Matty Dolan kept cool in added time to score the winner from the penalty spot.

Here are the talking points from Rodney Parade…

South Wales Argus: STUNNED: David Ajiboye put Sutton 2-0 up at the breakSTUNNED: David Ajiboye put Sutton 2-0 up at the break

NERVY NIGHT

Sutton have already caused plenty of sides problems since their promotion to League Two and manager James Rowberry predicted that they would be tough to break down.

So it proved, even when the Exiles had a man advantage, but this could have been a much simpler night.

County were the dominant side throughout but failed to grasp their chances while Sutton, and Ajiboye in particular, were ruthless.

The Exiles will have to get used to coming up against well-drilled, disciplined sides. They were lucky to leave Crawley with a point and had a touch of fortune against Sutton.

County failed to score first while on top and getting in good positions, then conceded a pair of goals that were superbly-taken yet terribly defended.

They ended with 30 shots to Sutton's four and 75 per cent possession, stats that would have made it an even more frustrating draw than Crawley or Colchester.

South Wales Argus: TALENTED: Jake CainTALENTED: Jake Cain

CAIN MAN

Liverpool have sent Jake Cain to Newport to learn about men's football and the 20-year-old is picking up valuable experiences.

More importantly for us, County are benefitting from the services of a raw yet talented midfielder.

James Rowberry called the youngster off the bench at 2-1 down to replace defender James Clarke.

Cain got on the ball, took responsibility and asked questions of the Sutton defence before winning the last-gasp penalty when bundled to the ground seconds after having a 50p head from a cross.

The loanee has made good progress since his first league start against Northampton, which bodes well for the rest of the campaign.

The young trio of Cain, Finn Azaz and Ollie Cooper plus stalwart Robbie Willmott make County a cunning side.

LEFT BEHIND

The right-back slot is nailed down by Cameron Norman but the other flank is up for grabs.

Ryan Haynes had a nightmare first half and the second goal was a shocker.

He was taken off at the break and Aaron Lewis got his chance; he defended better against Ajiboye and played a part in the leveller.

One imagines he will get the nod against Port Vale and the Swansea academy graduate needs to copy Norman and make the spot his own.

Lewis is a lovely footballer that should suit the Rowberry style but the 23-year-old, who finished last season strongly, has to show more steel and consistency to demand selection.

IN THE MIX

League Two is congested and it looks likely to be an almighty scrap to join Forest Green in the automatic promotion spots then for the four play-off berths.

For whatever reason, County often had winter wobbles under Michael Flynn and they have to keep things ticking along in December and January.

Turning one point into three was vital and now they have a chance to make a big statement against third-placed Port Vale in Newport on Saturday.

In this division it's sometimes just about staying in the tight fight and plenty of teams could play their way out of the tussle.

With Vale followed by Rochdale (away), Forest Green (home), Leyton Orient (away) and Walsall (away), the Exiles need to keep ticking along.