WILL Evans got the plaudits for his stunning finish that earned Newport County AFC a 1-0 win against Gillingham, yet it was the minute-long build-up that had boss Graham Coughlan purring.

The striker scored for his fifth game on the spin with his wonderful strike after an hour of last weekend’s success at Rodney Parade.

Midfielder Harry Charsley crossed from the left wing and Evans hooked a left-footed volley in off the right post for his 23rd goal of a remarkable campaign.

It was a terrific end to a patient move that lasted 68 seconds and involved nine players.

Goalkeeper Nick Townsend rolled the ball out to James Clarke and that was followed by 20 passes before Evans broke the deadlock.

“I was excited after the game but I didn’t actually realise how good a goal it was until I watched it back,” said Coughlan.

“It was a one or two-touch combination with an unbelievable finish. We watched it back and it was unbelievable goal.

“I am still excited now looking at it. Not only was the finish great but the combinations, we switched play, went down one side and came out, it was everything that we ask of the lads.”

County’s 21-pass goal: Nick Townsend rolls the ball out to James Clarke, who passes to Adam Lewis, to Scot Bennett, to Matt Baker, to Bennett, to Aaron Wildig, to Clarke, to Bryn Morris, to Clarke, to Bennett, to Baker, to Bennett, to Clarke, to Harry Charsley, to Lewis, to Bennett, to Baker, to Wildig, to Clarke, to Lewis, to Charsley to Evans. Goal.