GRAHAM Coughlan suffered his first League Two defeat as Newport County AFC manager after a Stockport comeback at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles led 1-0 at the break thanks to Aaron Lewis’ close-range finish but the visitors turned things around in the second half to triumph 2-1.

Chris Hussey’s free-kick went all the way in after 53 minutes – shades of Ronaldinho ahead of the World Cup – and then Paddy Madden struck after 73 minutes, the ball going in off Priestley Farquharson.

Stockport held on for three points that they deserved, meaning County are looking over their shoulders ahead of next week’s crucial home encounter with Gillingham.

Coughlan made two changes to the XI that beat Colchester in the FA Cup with Declan Drysdale replacing absent central defender James Clarke and Aaron Lewis getting the nod ahead of Adam Lewis down the left.

County started well and Drysdale forced goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe into a fine fingertip save with a powerful header from a Mickey Demetriou ball into the box in the eighth minute.

Stockport responded with dangerman Antoni Sarcevic whipping a dangerous ball across the face of Joe Day’s goal before then slicing an effort wide from distance.

A nicely worked corner created a chance for Madden in the 19th minute but Drysdale got out quickly to block then approaching the half hour it was Scot Bennett’s turn to deny Sarcevic six yards out.

The Exiles were outplayed in the first half yet went to their changing room with a 1-0 lead thanks to Lewis’ finish from close range.

South Wales Argus:

Omar Bogle had lived off scraps up front but did superbly down the right before rolling the ball across goal for the left wing-back to slide in.

Stockport would have wondered how they were behind at the break, albeit the Hatters had failed to seriously test Day.

That changed six minutes after the restart when Myles Hippolyte fired in a powerful left-footed shot that the ‘keeper dived to his left to keep out with Mickey Demetriou clearing Sarcevic’s follow-up off the line.

However, Day would have been frustrated with the leveller in the 54th minute with Hussey’s free-kick – a cross? – from the right wing going over his head.

The Exiles had a chance to respond but Will Evans’ shot was wild after James Waite played him in on the counter-attack.

The hosts were then denied a shooting chance from a free-kick after Croasdale picked up the ball on the edge of the box, claiming he heard a whistle.

Referee Andy Woolmer bizarrely led the Hatters get away with it, restarting play with a drop ball to the fury of Coughlan, his players and the home crowd.

County made their first change with 20 minutes to go with captain Matty Dolan introduced for Nathan Moriah-Welsh to try add some midfield control.

However, the Exiles soon fell behind after a cross from the right found Madden and his shot went in via the unfortunate Farquharson.

The central defender almost sparked an immediate leveller with an impressive charge upfield and pass to Bogle, who worked the ball onto his left foot and forced Hinchcliffe into a flying save to his right.

Coughlan rolled the dice with 12 minutes to go by bringing on Robbie Willmott for Demetriou and Lewis Collins for James Waite.

Stockport nearly clinched the win with seven left but Madden was denied by Day’s fingertips and the bar after a header from a swift counter-attack.

Will Evans tried a shot from distance in the 90th minute but it didn’t trouble Hinchcliffe, then the stopper needed to be alert to punch a Bennett shot away at the death to secure the three points.

County: Day, Norman, Drysdale, Farquharson, Demetriou (captain, Willmott 78), Aaron Lewis (Nevers 89), Bennett, Moriah-Welsh (Dolan 69), Waite (Collins 78), Evans, Bogle.

Substitutes not used: Townsend, Adam Lewis, Zimba, Nevers.

Goals: Aaron Lewis Yellow: Aaron Lewis Stockport goals: Hussey, Madden.

Referee: Andy Woolmer.

Attendance: 3,753 (Stockport 517).