Newport County have strong spine with Omar Bogle leading the line

The Exile fell behind to a wonderful goal in the 56th minute by Rio Adebisi and then were saved by the post after a Lachlan Brook strike.

Charlie McNeill was brought down in the box and Omar Bogle kept his cool with 13 minutes to go and then he scrambled in his 19th of the season in added time.

However, the Railwaymen levelled almost immediately to deny County a top-half finish.

Here are some talking points from the final game of the campaign…

FRUSTRATED: County manager Graham Coughlan (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

HOME COMFORT

It should have been a win but let’s be positive, County at least did what they failed to do last season and ended a losing home streak before signing off.

James Rowberry paid the price for the five-game losing run stretching into 2022/23 but Graham Coughlan can start with a clean slate.

It looked like Crewe would follow Mansfield and Harrogate in taking the spoils when Adebesi curled in and then Brook hit the post.

County responded well and will regret not seeing the game out after hitting the front so late.

Performances at Rodney Parade under Coughlan have tended to be pretty good but, and this is stating the bleeding obvious, the points tally must increase in 2023/24.

The Exiles accrued more points on their travels than in Newport for the second season running and ended the campaign with a record of P23, W6, D7, L10 for 25 points.

That was the 22nd worst home record with relegated Hartlepool only beneath them on goal difference.

Improving in Newport holds the key to avoiding mixing it near the bottom next season.

JOY: Omar Bogle celebrates his 19th goal of the season for County (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

BRILLIANT BOGLE

Amid all the uncertainty of who will still be at County next season, some of which will be answered shortly with the retained list, there will still be a strong spine.

Declan Drysdale can step up if there are defensive departures (and that is an area that former centre-back Coughlan should be expert at strengthening), Harry Charsley and Aaron Wildig are classy operators and then Bogle can lead the line.

The striker has enjoyed a sublime finish to the season to finish with 19 goals in all competitions with his League Two tally of 17 putting him fourth in the division behind Andy Cook (28), Sam Hoskins (22) and Kristian Dennis (20).

Hoskins plays for a Northampton side that have already gone up, Cook and Dennis will meet in the play-offs when Bradford take on Carlisle.

County have a quality striker in Bogle that would be Championship level with consistency – getting the best out of him next season is vital.

Charlie McNeill and Calum Kavanagh have certainly helped his game and getting more lively loanees in is likely, while it might be wise to get a physical frontman to share some of the hits.

That County supporters are relieved that their number 9 is one of those under contract for next season is a remarkable turnaround from the winter.

It is a crucial summer but the Exiles know they have goals with Bogle in the team, if they provide the right service.

DODGY DELIVERY

County ended the season as League Two’s most potent side from set pieces with 24 goals, one ahead of promoted Northampton Town.

The Exiles scored 45 per cent of their goals from free-kicks, corners and long throws yet that doesn’t tell the whole story.

This was another game where they failed to provide the delivery to make Crewe – who had Courtney Baker-Richardson guarding the box as he did so successfully at County last season – really sweat.

The delivery was often overhit or too floaty and County had 12 corners in total, 9 of them in the first half.

Will Evans was the only left-footer but the hard worker doesn’t possess the whip of an Adam Lewis, or Matty Dolan before that.

Evans has had a strong end to the campaign but at least one left wing-back is needed this summer, ideally one with good delivery.

ENERGY: Kiban Rai on his full County debut (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

LIVELY RAI

After some lively cameos it was a chance for Kiban Rai to show what he could do as a starter for the first time.

The 18-year-old from Brecon was excellent, showing real energy when running down the channels and mixing it with the defence.

Rai, who is physical but with plenty more growth to come, had clearly been told to empty the tank for just over a half and he deserved his ovation when being replaced – and it was noticeable that Bogle joined in with the applause for his protégé.

“He’s a good kid who has worked hard,” said Coughlan. “He deserved that start against Crewe because he has been patient as well.

“I just felt we needed to give him a go, have a look at him and see what he could do.

“Hopefully he takes that away and comes back for pre-season fit, ready and able to push for a place in the team.”

Fingers crossed defender/midfielder Harrison Page, who was an unused substitute at Gillingham, and in-form forward Tom Stokes, who was on the bench against Crewe, can follow his lead.