Offrande Zanzala fires Newport County to 2-1 win at Crewe

The Exiles recorded the first away win of the Graham Coughlan era thanks to a stirring second half at Gresty Road, three deserved points to start the planned move away from the prospect of a relegation scrap.

A moment of magic separated the teams at half-time with Crewe having the advantage thanks to Australian Lachlan Brook’s 13th-minute ripper from distance.

County had started the game well but needed a response in the second half and got one after an hour, Cameron Norman drilling in the leveller that their pressure merited.

The Exiles were on top and went on the hunt for a winner, which came with six minutes to go when Zanzala reacted swiftly to finish from close range.

The rapid striker has endured a torrid first half of the season because of hamstring trouble but enjoyed a magic moment in his lively cameo off the bench, hopefully a sign of much more to come.

Zanzala’s strike ensured County got what they deserved after a super response to a rather drab first-half showing, playing with purpose and not just living for set plays.

It was a perfect start to a December that provides the opportunity to climb the table after starting the evening in 18th.

TUSSLE: County’s Will Evans battles for the ball with Crewe captain Luke Offord (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

The game was moved forward to Friday to avoid a potential clash with either England or Wales playing in the last 16 of the World Cup.

In the end that decision meant fans didn’t have to make the choice between Gresty Road or watching the Netherlands versus the United States on the box.

Coughlan stuck with the same XI that performed strongly when beaten at the death by League One Derby in the FA Cup.

There were a pair of boosts on the bench courtesy of fit-again midfielder Aaron Wildig and Offrande Zanzala, while Sam Bowen also got the nod as an option.

County made a rapid start and created a big opening in the third minute when striker Omar Bogle laid the ball off nicely to James Waite.

The attacking midfielder should have at least tested goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo from the edge of the box but dragged his shot to the left of the target.

That was followed by midfielder Scot Bennett having an effort blocked before Crewe had to stand firm against some set plays.

County had kept the hosts well away from their goal until Brook took matters into his own hands in the 13th minute.

The Brentford loanee made space for himself before unleashing a stunning left-footed shot from outside the box that glanced the right post on its way in. Joe Day didn’t stand a chance.

The stopper saved with his feet from Charlie Colkett after 26 minutes before Norman had a crack down the other end from the edge of the area only for the ball to crash against the bar and rebound to safety.

That was the last action of note in a drab first half that must have left Coughlan to ponder a change of shape or personnel when chasing the game.

The boss opted to stick with his starters and give them a chance to start the second half like they did the first. It proved to be the correct call.

There were a couple of half-openings with Will Evans heading well wide and Nathan Moriah-Welsh showing fast feet to burst into the box but fail to produce a delivery to match the approach work.

The big chance came after 58 minutes when Mickey Demetriou climbed high to meet an Aaron Lewis corner only to head straight at Okonkwo from close to the penalty spot.

County were putting the squeeze on through set plays and got their reward when the Railwaymen failed to clear their lines from a Lewis corner.

Norman kept his cool, worked a shooting opportunity and drilled in a shot that took a slight deflection on its way in.

The Exiles were good value for their equaliser and went in search of the lead with Evans opting for a shot that went wide of the goal after bursting down the left rather than look for Bogle with a cutback.

Norman hit the bar for the second time in the 71st minute after a good overlapping run by centre-back Declan Drysdale opened up space for his to fire in a shot that struck the top of the woodwork.

Coughlan wanted three points and brought on Zanzala for Will Evans after 73 minutes; the new man went down in the box after grappling as the clock hit 80 but nothing was given by referee Rebecca Welsh.

However, he was soon celebrating after getting to Priestley Farquharson's header across goal to fire in against his former side.

Crewe boos at the final whistle were music to County’s ears.

Crewe scorers: Brook County: Day, Norman, Drysdale, Farquharson, Demetriou (captain), Aaron Lewis, Bennett, Moriah-Welsh, Waite, Evans (Zanzala 73), Bogle.

Substitutes not used: Townsend, Dolan, Bowen, Willmott, Wildig, Collins.

Scorers: Norman, Zanzala.

Yellow: Drysdale, Evans, Demetriou.

Referee: Rebecca Welch