NEWPORT County AFC paid the price for failing to take their chances in windy Wrexham after suffering a 2-0 defeat at the Racecourse at the hands of Ben Tozer and his long-throw missiles.
It was a victory for the north in the first meeting between the Welsh rivals since the 2018 FA Cup tie, boosting their League Two promotion hopes while ensuring the Exiles failed to stretch away from the relegation scrap.
It was goalless at the break but County were frustrated by that after having a flurry of chances midway through the half, with home ‘keeper Arthur Okonkwo pulling off good saves to deny Will Evans and Seb Palmer-Houlden.
Wrexham had a strong wind at their backs for the second half and that changed the pattern of the game with the pressure eventually leading to James Jones’ close-range opener in the 64th minute.
That came after former Exile Tozer launched a throw into the box and he repeated the trick in the 87th minute for Elliot Lee to glance in the clincher.
There were shades of the Tranmere game down the road earlier in the month when the blustery conditions played havoc and the Exiles were the victims of a second-half turnaround.
They don’t have long to lick their wounds with a Boxing Day clash with Forest Green – more of a derby in terms of distance – that is key to retaining or increasing the lead over the gang of strugglers.
Graham Coughlan recalled top scorer Evans and midfielder Harry Charsley at the expense of young loanees Lewis Payne and Matt Baker.
Evens started in the left wing-back role that he often filled last season with Shane McLoughlin returning to the right.
Scot Bennett returned to the heart of an experienced back three in between captain Ryan Delaney and James Clarke.
It was a cagey and scrappy opening – understandable in windy conditions – and the first incident of note was a booking for Aaron Wildig in the ninth minute for stopping a counter-attack.
County would have been happy to have quietened down the expectant crowd but Wrexham had their first opening in the 20th minute when Jacob Mendy crossed from the right but Sam Dalby missed his header.
That was swiftly followed by Paul Mullin breaking through only for Delaney to defend strongly to clear the danger.
Yet it was the Exiles then had a burst of chances that all ended in frustration.
Fit-again Okonkwo, playing with a face mask, reacted well to deny Evans after he was played in down the left by Omar Bogle in the 25th minute, then Bogle had a shot blocked from a corner.
Palmer-Houlden had a header superbly tipped onto the top of the bar by Okonkwo after a whipped cross from the left and then Delaney diverted a Charsley shot agonisingly wide.
It was goalless at the break and the fear was that County would be left to rue those missed/saved opportunities and that Wrexham would improve.
That proved to be the case, with the hosts aided by conditions that ensured Exiles clearances failed to make big distance.
Wrexham went close in the 53rd minute when former County defender Tozer launched a long throw that Nick Townsend attempted to punch under pressure. The ‘keeper got a glancing touch but Bennett was on hand to clear off the line.
Suddenly it was all red pressure in front of the Kop temporary stand and the hosts were inches away from the lead when Lee smashed a wind-assisted drive against County’s right post, with the ball bouncing out, hitting Townsend and going out for a corner that was cleared.
Dalby then struck just wide on the turn before fluffing his lines from a scramble that somehow stayed out.
It was 0-0 but the opener came just past the hour when Tozer launched a long throw and Jones smashed the loose ball past Townsend.
Coughlan responded immediately by bringing on Matt Baker for Charsley, deploying the Wales Under-21s defender in midfield.
County stopped the flow and had a half-chance when Evans whipped in a cross but Aaron Wildig couldn’t quite get a touch on his header.
Evans was pushed up front after 79 minutes after Lewis Payne replaced Palmer-Houlden but there was to be no nervy finale.
County needlessly conceded a throw, Tozer launched it into the box and Lee glanced in a header.
Townsend saved superbly to deny Mullin a third as 90 minute approached but Wrexham had already secured Welsh bragging rights until January 20 at Rodney Parade.
Wrexham scorers: Jones, Lee.
County: Townsend, McLoughlin, Clarke, Bennett, Delaney (captain) Evans, Morris, Charsley (Baker 64), Wildig, Bogle, Palmer-Houlden (Payne 79).
Subs not used: Maxted, Waite, Rai, Wood, Bondswell.
Yellow: Wildig.
Referee: John Busby.
Attendance: 12,095 (1,139 County)
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