PRIESTLEY Farquharson was the unlikely hero for Newport County AFC with two goals – the first of his professional career – sealing a big three points at the wrong end of League Two.

The former Connah’s Quay Nomads centre-back has struggled to nail down a starting spot since his arrival in January 2021, but he has been a fixture of the side under new manager Graham Coughlan in recent weeks and he made the difference against the Gills with goals either side of half-time.

It was just reward for the faith shown in his players by Coughlan, who named an unchanged team from last week’s disappointing defeat to Stockport County.

After a rousing rendition of Yma o Hyd by Daffydd Iwan before kick-off, the Exiles tore into their fellow strugglers and went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the fifth minute.

South Wales Argus:

Dafydd Iwan performs Yma o Hyd ahead of kick off. Picture: Huw Evans Picture Agency

A clever short corner routine saw Aaron Lewis and Will Evans play a quick one-two before Lewis teed up Omar Bogle, whose low shot through a host of bodies was deflected on its way to goal and just about scrambled off the line by Gills goalkeeper John Turner.

The hosts failed to push on from there, however, and there was very little meaningful action for the next 25 minutes as both sides laboured.

After creating almost nothing of note in the first half hour, Gillingham, who featured former Exiles youngster Dom Jefferies in midfield, went close as Will Wright forced Joe Day into an impressive fingertip save to tip over a vicious half volley from 20 yards.

And they went even closer to breaking the deadlock from the corner as Shaun Williams headed onto the foot of the post before playing the rebound across goal where the ball was slammed onto the bar by Max Ehmer.

That was a wake-up call for Coughlan’s men, and they responded well to grab the lead two minutes before half-time when Farquharson’s header from Aaron Lewis’ corner was fumbled over the line by Turner.

The crucial second arrived 11 minutes after the restart from a Mickey Demetriou long throw – a weapon that the visitors struggled to deal with all afternoon – but there was confusion among the crowd as to who had actually scored it.

A Mickey missile appeared to be flicked goalwards by Cameron Norman, it then hit Gills defender Elkan Baggott but Farquharson may have got the final touch and he was credited with his second of the match to put County in charge.

After making a double change, the visitors pushed hard in search of a way back into the match.

Lewis Walker, who had headed just over the top in first-half stoppage time, wasted another decent opportunity when he blazed over before substitute Stuart O’Keefe was denied smartly by the boots of Day.

Harris made a third substitution, sending on former Exiles loanee Jordan Green in place of Walker, but it was County who looked the more likely to add to the scoresheet in the closing stages.

Bogle dragged a shot just wide from just inside the 18-yard box 15 minutes from the end and James Waite went close late on but County held on comfortably for a vital victory.

Newport County (3-4-1-2): J Day; D Drysdale, P Farquharson, M Demetriou; C Norman (M Dolan, 71), S Bennett, N Moriah-Welsh, Aaron Lewis; J Waite; O Bogle (L Collins, 81), W Evans;

Subs not used: N Townsend, Adam Lewis, R Willmott, C Zimba, T Nevers;

Booked: N Moriah-Welsh, J Waite.

Gillingham (3-4-1-2): J Turner; W Wright, M Ehmer, E Baggott; C Alexander (S O’Keefe, 46), S Williams, D Jefferies (A MacDonald, 59), R McKenzie; B Reeves (S Kashket, 59); L Walker (J Green, 69), M Mandron.

Subs not used: H Mnoga, H Adelakun, T Holtham;

Booked: M Mandron, C Alexander. L Walker;

Referee: O Yates;

Attendance: 4,300.