NEWPORT County AFC remain a point short of a half-century after being controversially denied at the death when Paddy Madden earned promotion-chasing Stockport a 1-0 win.
The Exiles looked set to hit manager Graham Coughlan’s target of 50 League Two points thanks to a disciplined display at Edgeley Park, and the heroics of goalkeeper Nick Townsend.
However, Madden slammed home a shot in the 93rd minute after a loose ball from a free-kick that Coughlan felt shouldn’t have been given, with his protests earning a yellow card.
READ MORE: Coughlan's post-match reaction
It was a cruel end after Newport looked set to head home with something after getting their tactics spot-on and defending with discipline.
When the Hatters did create they came up against an inspired Townsend, who acrobatically saved a Madden penalty with 16 minutes to go when it was deemed Harry Charsley had fouled Tanto Olaofe in the box.
More heroics looked set to earn a clean sheet ahead of Tuesday’s home encounter with Morecambe, but then came the painful ending.
Coughlan made one enforced change to the XI from the defeat to leaders Mansfield after centre-back James Clarke’s season-ending knee injury.
It was Offrande Zanzala that got the nod, which meant a trio of starting forwards for the third game on the spin against Stockport.
It hadn’t worked last time at Edgeley Park when Omar Bogle joined forces with Charlie McNeill and Calum Kavanagh but Bogle, Will Evans and Palmer-Houlden pressed from the front in the shock 2-1 win at Rodney Parade in November.
County stuck with their three at the back to start with Scot Bennett dropping back from midfield to the heart of the defence in between Matt Baker and Kyle Jameson.
It was an extremely low-key start with the Exiles content to prevent their hosts from building up a head of steam, trying to make it a nervy atmosphere after their four-game winless streak.
The first incident of note came in the 15th minute when Paddy Madden shot powerfully on the turn on the edge of the Exiles’ area but it was straight at Nick Townsend, who gathered comfortably.
Both ‘keepers were having quiet afternoons with a punch clear from a corner the only other action for Newport’s number 1.
That changed after 31 minutes when Townsend had to be quick off his line to bravely block from the onrushing Antoni Sarcevic.
Stockport followed that with a series of corners but the Exiles held firm and had their first effort in the 40th minute when, seconds after taking a clearance in the face, Bryn Morris shot from distance and forced Ben Hinchliffe into his first save.
The Hatters went closest to the opener two minutes before the break when the two danger men combined, Myles Hippolyte crossing from the right and Madden nodding narrowly wide.
Stockport started the second half on the front foot with Madden, being man-marked by Bennett, escaping to fire off a shot inside the box that Townsend saved well with his legs in the 52nd minute.
The hosts were starting to really dominate possession and territory but couldn’t get their noses in front with Madden frustrated after 56 minutes when he shot at goal after a scramble from a corner only for it to hit his teammate Nick Powell on the line.
Townsend got down to save with a strong right hand from a Callum Camps drive just past the hour before, once again, the visitors had to soak up set-piece pressure.
Coughlan made his first change after 64 minutes when introducing midfielder Charsley for Zanzala.
Stockport were given a huge chance to hit the front when given a dubious penalty in the 74th minute by referee Tom Reeves after a challenge by the substitute on forward Olaofe.
However, Townsend not only went the right way but pulled off a terrific stop low to his left to deny Madden.
The stopper then produced another cracker with three minutes to go when he tipped an Odin Bailey effort that was destined for the top left corner, then he tipped over when Morris shanked a clearance towards his own goal.
Stockport were given hope by six minutes of added time against a Newport side that had been given an injection of energy from the bench.
Then they pumped a free-kick into the box and this time Madden gave Townsend no chance for a cruel, cruel ending.
Stockport scorer: Madden.
County: Townsend, Payne, Baker, Bennett (captain), Jameson (Drysdale 79), Lewis (Bondswell 88), Morris, Wildig, Evans, Palmer-Houlden (Jephcott 88), Zanzala (Charsley 64).
Substitutes not used: Maxted, Waite, Rai.
Yellow: Zanzala. Payne, Jameson, Charsley, Wildig.
Referee: Tom Reeves.
Attendance: 8,865 (315 County)
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