FORMER Newport County AFC defender Cameron Norman went off injured ahead of Saturday's clash with his old side when Milton Keynes Dons drew with Wrexham.
The two promotion contenders shared the spoils in Buckinghamshire on Tuesday night in a dramatic 1-1 draw that saw both end with 10 men.
Wrexham went ahead after 22 minutes when James McClean attacked Luke Young’s corner at the near post to head past Michael Kelly.
It took MK Dons just four minutes to equalise, however, when Jack Payne helped the ball through for Dan Kemp, who finished emphatically.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men just before the hour when captain Dean Lewington was sent off for foul and abusive language.
The stalwart was angered at the decision not to award a goal after goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo had appeared to fumble Joe Tomlinson’s long-range shot over the line.
The north Walians finished a man dan when defender Will Boyle, sent off at Rodney Parade for a wild tackle on Shane McLoughlin, was dismissed for two bookings.
Defender Norman, who racked up 100 appearances for County over just two seasons, went down in the closing stage and was replaced by attacker Ellis Harrison, from Newport.
The right-back, who can also play in the middle, was booked on his return to Rodney Parade earlier this season and will now be a doubt for a second reunion.
The Dons remain fifth and Wrexham are third, a point ahead of Crewe Alexandra.
The Exiles dropped a place to 15th in a ridiculously congested table - there are just three points from seventh-placed Harrogate to Walsall in 16th - after Crawley's 1-0 win at Wimbledon.
Danilo Orsi’s 15th league goal of the season in the 78th minute secured the spoils for Crawley with the hosts rueing missed chances.
Gillingham's attacking woes continued when they fired another blank but they will be content to have bagged a point from their home encounter with leaders Stockport.
The Gills, beaten 1-0 in Newport last weekend, are the lowest scorers in the division with just 31 goals in 33 games but moved level on points with seventh-placed Harrogate.
Walsall closed to within a point of County with an impressive 3-0 win against Morecambe, who remain 11th.
The Saddlers were booed by their own fans when beaten 3-0 by the Exiles but have responded impressively at the Bescot, beating promotion-chasing Mansfield and then the Shrimps.
Ross Tierney opened the scoring and then former County striker Jamille Matt doubled the lead after just 26 minutes, with on-loan Norwich defender Emmanuel Adegboyega sealing the spoils in the 66th minute.
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