AND so, after seven months and 20 games, Newport County’s fantastic unbeaten league run finally came to an end in Middlesex.

Despite the best efforts of star man Glyn Thompson, who hit the post with a header in the 97th minute, the Exiles failed to keep a clean sheet in Staines and the home side deserved the win after dominating the second half.

Dean Holdsworth’s men remain top of the Blue Square South with nearest rivals Dover Athletic also losing but this was still a bitter pill to swallow.

The visitors had the better of the early skirmishes at Wheatsheaf Park but Staines were the better side thereafter.

With previous skipper Aaron Cook having left for Eastleigh and Gary Warren only fit enough for a place on the bench, Holdsworth handed the captain’s armband to midfield lynchpin Wayne Turk.

Martyn Giles returned from a three-match ban to replace Cook at left-back – the only change from the 1-0 win at St Albans 10 days ago – meaning Alton Thelwell and Paul Cochlin continued in central defence.

Reid crafted the first chance with a cross from the left on seven minutes which Ashan Holgate failed to connect with properly, the dreadlocked danger man seeing his effort trickle past the post.

Two minutes later Reid was involved again, touching on beautifully for Sam Foley to fire in a fierce crack at goal from all of 35 yards.

Louis Wells in the home goal palmed the shot wide and Cochlin headed just wide from Danny Rose’s corner as County started like a side full of confidence – as befits their status as league leaders.

Thompson was a mere spectator until the 20th minute when he easily gathered a Leroy Griffiths free-kick.

And the visitors were straight back on the attack with Rose going agonisingly close with a precise shot which curled just inches over Wells’ bar on 24 minutes.

But, despite their dominance, County could easily have been behind minutes later when Richard Butler wriggled free of Thelwell only to be brilliantly denied by Thompson who was out in a flash to snuff out the danger.

The game began to hot up nicely and Foley’s free kick was tipped over by Wells before Cochlin saw his header cleared off the line by Dominic Sterling from the resulting corner.

Back at the other end Giles cleared a dangerous cross only for Rose to concede a free-kick on the edge of the area which came to nothing but saw Giles booked for dissent.

Cochlin then harshly followed him into the referee’s notebook to become the third County player to receive a yellow card after Paul Bignot, who was earlier penalised for shirt pulling.

That was symptomatic of a half which petered out as referee Charles Breakspear took centre stage with an overly fussy display.

Staines were quicker out of the blocks after the break and Ali Chaaban almost gave the home side the lead five minutes in with a great effort from just outside the box which Thompson did well to tip over the bar. The ex-Fulham stopper then twice cleared under pressure with his fists as the Swans began to take flight.

The mounting pressure eventually told in the 59th minute when Thompson saved well from Butler but could only beat the ball to Chaaban who fired home from close range to give his side a deserved lead.

After Turk made it 4-0 to County on bookings, Holgate picked up a knock and made way for Charlie Henry as Holdsworth looked for more cutting edge on the left flank with 25 minutes to go.

Five minutes later loan star Kerry Morgan was also summoned from the bench and he was straight into the action.

Reid raced down the left and did well to lose his man and square to Foley who somehow failed to find the net from three yards out. Wells threw himself at the ball and prevented what looked a certain equaliser while the diminutive Morgan couldn’t react in time to head home the rebound.

Five Staines bookings levelled the yellow card score somewhat but hopes of a County equaliser began to look more and more forlorn.

Howard Newton could have settled matters when he was put through one-on-one in the 87th minute but Thompson was again on hand to save the day. Gareth Risbridger also went close but the Exiles didn’t look like saving their proud record.

There was late drama with Thompson hitting the post with a terrific header and Morgan leaving the field on a stretcher after a terrible tackle from Marien Ifura but as the final whistle eventually came after nine minutes of added on time County had to settle for defeat for the first time since March.

Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling, Gordon, Ifura, Chaaban, Newton, Risbridger, Butler (Thomas, 75), Griffiths, Brown.

Subs not used: Taylor, Scarlett, Woozley, Onochie.

Booked: Jackson, Butler, Gordon, Risbridger, Ifura

County: Thompson, Bignot, Giles, Turk (Morgan, 70), Thelwell, Cochlin, Rose, Rogers (Thomas, 89), Reid, Foley, Holgate (Henry, 65). Subs not used: Warren, Blackburn.

Booked: Bignot, Giles, Cochlin, Turk

Referee: Charles T Breakspear

Attendance: 621

Argus star man: Thompson