WILL Evans scored for the fifth game on the spin as Newport County AFC returned to winning ways against Gillingham in League Two.
The striker scored the only goal of the game, his 23rd of the season, as the Exiles responded perfectly to the midweek defeat to Notts County that ended a seven-game unbeaten streak.
It was a win against play-off contenders at Rodney Parade that means they are just two points off the top seven, even if they remain 14th.
It was goalless at the break with County lamenting Seb Palmer-Houlden’s failure to repeat the accuracy of his headed winner against Wrexham.
The Exiles hit the front after an hour when Evans moved a goal shy of 20 in League Two with a sublime volley that went in off the right post.
County then held firm for a clean sheet against the division’s worst attack – 31 in 32 games – to record a clean sheet and boost the hopes of a late play-off charge, something that Graham Coughlan is not yet ready to entertain.
The boss made one enforced change to the XI from the defeat to Notts County, when captain and centre-back Ryan Delaney eventually limped off in the second half after trying to play on with a knee injury suffered in the opening exchanges.
Midfielder Aaron Wildig, back after an ankle blow suffered in the win at Walsall, was his replacement with that meaning Scot Bennett dropped back to the heart of the defence and also wore the captain’s armband.
It was a cagey opening with the Exiles having to be alert against the imposing 6ft 6ins Oli Hawkins in the absence of their physical skipper.
County should have hit the front in the 13th minute when Adam Lewis whipped in a wicked cross from the left but Bristol City prospect Palmer-Houlden glancing wide from the middle of the goal.
That was swiftly followed by a big chance at the other end but Hawkins side-footed tamely from close to the penalty spot and it was a routine save for Nick Townsend.
The County ‘keeper saved impressively in the 23rd minute after scrambling across his line to deny Conor Masterson, although the flag went up for offside anyway.
It was a very, very scrappy game that that prompted Coughlan to make his feelings clear to the Exiles players about their poor ball retention.
Defence continued to dominate attack and it was remained goalless at half-time, with the home side failing to test Gills goalkeeper Jake Turner with any on-target shots.
County stuck with their starters for the second half while the visitors made a change with the introduction of forward Ashley Nadesan.
The pattern of the first half continued until Bryn Morris finally tested Turner in the 53rd minute with a thumping shot from distance that the Gills ‘keeper did well to palm out.
However, he was given no chance on the hour when Harry Charsley crossed from the left and Evans hooked a volley in off the right post for his 23rd of a remarkable campaign.
It took terrific defending by Remeao Hutton to deny County a second in the 70th minute when a lovely move saw Palmer-Houlden spin in behind and then cross towards Charsley.
He was ready to strike on goal but was denied by a well-timed sliding challenge by the January signing from Swindon.
The Gills turned to former Wales midfielder Jonny Williams to provide a spark and it took a superb stop by Townsend to keep County in front in the 77th minute.
Hutton whipped in a cross from the right, Tim Dieng got ahead of his marker and hit the target but the Exiles stopper kept the shot out with a strong left hand on the dive.
Centre-back Kyle Jameson was introduced by Coughlan in the 82nd minute for his first appearance since suffering a hip injury at Crewe in August, with Bennett moving into midfield.
County had to defend tenaciously as the clock ticked along and Gillingham got more ambitious.
Six minutes of added time went up on the board, seven and a half were played but the Exiles ensured they bagged the three points.
County: Townsend, McLoughlin, Baker, Bennett (captain), Clarke, Lewis, Morris, Wildig (Jameson 81), Charsley (Bondswell 90), Evans, Palmer-Houlden (Zanzala 87).
Substitutes: Maxted, Payne, Waite, Jephcott.
Scorers: Evans.
Yellow: Charsley, Morris, Townsend.
Referee: Ollie Yates.
Attendance: 4,724.
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