TWO goals in the final ten minutes saw County’s glorious run come to an end at Tamworth last night.

Far from a happy hunting, Newport were again beaten at the ground where things have a habit of coming to an end for the Exiles.

Last season it was the reign of former manager Dean Holdsworth and last night County’s seven game unbeaten run, though they’ll still be wondering how on earth they contrived to throw away a winning position.

With such fine form heading into the trip to the Midlands it was no surprise that Edinburgh kept his team changes to a minimum.

There was only the need to tweak selection with club captain Gary Warren ruled out with a slight hamstring injury, the Exiles hopeful he will return in time for Saturday’s FA Trophy quarter final trip to Northwich Victoria.

The good news for Edinburgh was the availability of former champion of the Conference with AFC Wimbledon, Ismail Yakubu. The defender has been unavailable for five games through suspension and injury but was fit to slot in alongside Andrew Hughes.

The Exiles have been forming a pleasant habit of starting games well, especially on the road and their pace and penetration on the break caused the hosts all sorts of problems.

It was Glyn Thompson who made the first save of the game, denying Jean-Paul Marna from a narrow angle, but the Exiles were ready to spring at the sign of any mistake.

On four minutes they did just that, an angled ball from the left flank finding Elliott Buchanan who was bundled over in the penalty box, the referee pointing straight to the spot.

The Exiles aren’t exactly the most reliable side from spot-kicks, but in-form midfielder Sam Foley probably feels he can walk on water at the minute and he kidded goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge into diving early and dinked the ball straight down the middle.

That was the precursor to the Thompson and Foley show, the pair exchanging vital contributions as the half unfolded.

First Paul Green’s swirling, vicious shot from distance was pushed out by Thompson and County broke, resulting in Foley rattling the crossbar with a piledriver from 22-yards.

McDonald’s blast was then tipped away by Thompson on 15 minutes before a wonderful volley from Foley clipped the goalkeeper’s near post.

It was frantic stuff with Newport overly stretched when Marna again found space, but he blasted over a decent chance midway through the half, as did Iyseden Christie on 30 minutes.

However, the best work in an attacking sense was coming from County and just before the interval home skipper Paul Green was forced to slice down Foley as he looked to push for a second.

They were denied that, but the travelling fans were more than happy at the interval, especially with Stevenage striker Craig Reid among them as part of the amber army.

Newport were instantly on the offensive after the break, Nat Jarvis just missing the ball as he fell in a crowded penalty area.

The Exiles were comfortable but the alarm bells rang on 50 minutes when the midfield dropped off, the central defender were split by a header, but Christie’s poke at goal lacked conviction and Thompson gobbled in comfortably.

It continued to be a high octane game and Lee Baker’s piledriver clipped the crossbar with goalkeeper Hedge completely unmoved.

The Lambs continued to be restricted to shooting from range and the Exiles began to enjoy more and more possession as they consolidated their lead.

Much like against Mansfield on Saturday County were robust and strong in protection of a lead, closing down and maintaining supremacy.

Not until 78 minutes did the host look a legitimate goal threat, substitute Kyle Patterson nicking in ahead of Glyn Thompson who hauled him down outside the area. Arguably, County’s number one was extremely lucky not to see red.

The consolation was short lived however, the freekick from Scott Barrow flashing past Thompson into the roof of the net.

From their very next break the hosts turned County’s disappointment into devastation, David Pipe sucked out of position as Danny Thomas turned the ball home from the back post to turn the game on its head.

Tamworth: Hedge, Tait, Courtney, Marna (Patterson 75), St Aimie (Thomas 64), McDonald, Green, Isaac (Reece 64), Barrow, Christie, McKoy Subs not used: Francis, Nix Booked: Green (42), County: Thompson, Pipe, Baker, Yakubu (Rodgers 77), Hughes, Foley, Minshull, Chapman, Jarvis (Reid 66), Charles, Buchanan Subs not used: Potter, Harris, Rose Booked: Thompson (78) Referee: Mr D Handley Attendance: 815 ARGUS STAR MAN – SAM FOLEY: Twice hit the woodwork, scored penalty, by far the man most likely throughout.