Salford edge out Newport County in League Two thriller

The Exiles finished last season with five straight defeats on home soil and the Ammies followed Walsall in taking the spoils, although this time it was no burglary.

Salford deserved the win, but it was far from straightforward.

It was goalless at the break after County’s worst half of the season, and potentially the reign of James Rowberry.

The Exiles were awful in possession yet went in at half-time on level terms only for the Ammies to soon get the lead they deserved.

Luke Bolton scored the opener after 53 minutes when he was allowed to cut in from the right and then soon created the second when his cross was deflected into his own net by Cameron Norman.

County had never beaten Salford in five league efforts and from there it was going to take a miracle to earn a draw, let alone repeat the 2020 FA Cup win over the Ammies.

Yet they were chasing the lead with 15 minutes to go after a pair of set plays put them level through midfielder Scot Bennett and striker Omar Bogle, both close-range finishes.

Omar Bogle slots County's leveller

Just as County were dreaming of a comeback win they were back behind after shoddy defending from a corner led to Ryan Leak nodding the visitors into a 3-2 lead with eight minutes to go.

This time there was no more drama and now County desperately need to avoid an unwanted eight on the spin when Tranmere head to south Wales on Saturday afternoon, even if the current squad are only responsible for two losses.

In truth they got what they deserved against Salford, even if they showed spirit, and a dramatic improvement is needed against Rovers.

County made four changes to the starting line-up in the 2-0 defeat at Bradford, three of them enforced.

Fit-again James Clarke replaced Declan Drysdale after his dismissal in Yorkshire while the midfield that finished the game started it with Sam Bowen and James Waite slotting in for Robbie Willmott and Aaron Wildig after they limped off.

The other change saw captain Matty Dolan drop to the bench with full-back Aaron Lewis starting and Norman moving to the heart of the defensive three.

Central defender Priestley Farquharson, who made his return from injury in the Carabao Cup win at Luton, was back as a substitute and was joined on the bench by young academy forward Tom Stokes.

Evening rain, which caused the late postponement of Forest Green’s League One clash with Accrington because of a waterlogged pitch, meant that the surface was zippy but sadly that didn’t lead to County pinging the ball around impressively in the first half.

The first shot came in the ninth minute when Brandon Thomas-Asante, fresh from two goals against Crewe, tested Nick Townsend from distance but the ‘keeper was up to the task and parried away.

Salford central defender Richard Nartey wasn’t nice soon afterwards and was cautioned for wiping out Omar Bogle in an aerial challenge.

Bennett was a touch fortunate to not give away a penalty after following a heavy touch with a clumsy clearance in the box, going perilously close to catching Thomas-Asante, and then Callum Henry slammed a shot just wide of the right post after showing fast feet to work an opening.

It was an uncomfortable start for County, who were content to use the physical Bogle as an outlet even though he wasn’t getting too much joy out of referee Sunny Gill.

Exiles captain Mickey Demetriou joined Nartey in the book and then conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area only for Ammies skipper Ibou Touray to fire the 23rd-minute effort over the bar.

Salford had fired in three shots while the Exiles had only registered attempts by Lewis Collins and Aaron Lewis that never had their former teammate Tom King worried.

The Ammies went close again when Elliott Watt’s dipping effort from a headed clearance by Norman went narrowly wide, yet it remained 0-0 after half an hour.

County’s wastefulness with the ball was infuriating their manager but the hosts did at least get something of a foothold when they were able to apply some pressure from a trio of corners and a long throw.

However, it was undoubtedly Salford that were on top and Rowberry had a purposeful stomp to the changing rooms at half-time.

The same XI got a shot at improvement but five minutes later Bournemouth prospect Nathan Moriah-Welsh was introduced for his debut in midfield for Sam Bowen.

Yet he was soon tasked with helping chase the game after Bolton drove inside from the right flank – just like Richie Smallwood had for Bradford – and curled a shot that zipped off the surface past Townsend.

Salford were more than good value for their lead and they soon doubled it after more bad defending down the left.

Adam Lewis, who was swiftly removed, was skinned and Bolton dribbled into the box and fired in a cross that Norman deflected in.

County needed a response and went close when Lewis Collins prodded wide at the far post just past the hour.

There was a mood of frustration but that changed with 20 minutes left when good work by Collins led to a Bogle shot being deflected behind.

The corner was swung in, King failed to gather and Bennett slammed in to give hope.

The midfielder then turned provider after a free-kick was pumped into the box and he fired in a volley for Bogle to slide in and send the home fans wild.

From nowhere, County were on top and the shocking 70 minutes had been forgotten, at least until Wednesday reflection.

Yet Salford mirrored Walsall when they exploited awful defending from a corner for Ryan Leak to nod them back in front with eight minutes left.

The Ammies could have put the game to bed but there was still only one goal in it when six minutes of added time was announced.

There was still time for one last chance but Bennett skied a shot way, way over with his left from Demetriou’s cross.

County: Townsend, Aaron Lewis, Norman, Clarke, Demetriou (captain), Adam Lewis (Evans 57), Bowen (Moriah-Welsh 50), Bennett, Waite (Zimba 90), Collins, Bogle.
Substitutes not used: Day, Farquharson, Dolan, Stokes.
Yellow: Demetriou, Adam Lewis, Bogle.
Goals:  Bennett, Bogle.

Salford: King, Lowe, Vassell, Nartey, Bolton, Watson, Watt, Touray (captain), Lund, Hendry, Thomas-Asante.
Substitutes: Torrance, Smith, Parter, Sargent, Leak, Berkoe, Simoes.
Yellow: Nartey.
Goals: Bolton, Norman own goal, Leak.

Referee: Sunny Gill.
Attendance: 3,678 (79 Salford)