Exeter City 0, Newport County 1
Newport County fired up their League Two survival hopes – and rocked promotion-chasing Exeter City.
Tom Owen-Evans netted the only goal of the game at St James Park.
Exeter’s play-off charge was halted in a match of few chances, while County are now three points from safety.
There was plenty of drama before the game as kick-off was delayed by three quarters of an hour after the Newport players were stuck in traffic following a crash on Saturday morning, which left the roads at a standstill and also affected Exeter Chiefs’ Premiership rugby union fixture at Sandy Park.
There were fears that the game could be postponed, but Newport arrived just before 3pm, allowing the game to kick-off at 3.45pm.
On a sunny afternoon the home side started strongly and created chances.
Newport, too, had their moments and almost opened the scoring after Butler drilled in a low-shot at the back post which was parried by the keeper.
Newport’s solid defensive work ensured Exeter were growing increasingly frustrated and the visitors looked dangerous on the break.
Owen-Evans fired over from a good chance after 50 minutes, but quickly made amends when he netted from a 25-yard striker after Exeter lost possession in midfield.
Alex Samuel could have doubled their lead with an ambitious shot two minutes later but shot just over the bar.
Hartlepool’s 1-1 draw against Morecambe and Cheltenham’s 3-3 at Wycombe means the Exiles reduce their five-point deficit from safety to just three with victory.
Next Friday Newport are at home against Yeovil. Hartlepool, three points ahead of the Exiles, are at home against Carlisle United, while Cheltenham, who are a further point in front of Newport, are at Crawley Town.
Three days later, on Bank Holiday Monday, Newport are at Plymouth Argyle.
Exeter City: Pym, Brown, Moore-Taylor (Stacey 45), Croll, Sweeney, Wheeler, Taylor, James (Oakley 64), Reid, Tillson (Tillson 53), Harley Subs (not used): Olejnik, Grant, McAlinden, Ampadu.
Newport County: Day, Pipe, Bennett, Demetriou, O’Brien, Butler, Owen-Evans, Randall (Jones 75), Rose, Samuel (Myrie-Williams 90), Bird (Williams 64)
Subs not used: Barnum-Bobb, Nelson, Bittner, Gordon
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
Attendance: 4,040