Magpies fail to capitalise on red cards (16.08.05)

NINE-MAN Newport gave a performance as fiery as a Welsh dragon to earn a point at York Road on Tuesday night.
With captain Lee Kersey back in the team, the Maidenhead line up had a look of solidity missing on Saturday and comfortably snuffed out the early threats from a Newport team high on confidence following a 4-1 opening day victory.
The game’s first incident came just before the quarter hour mark when Robert Traynor latched onto a perfect through ball and raced clear only for County keeper Nathan Vaughan to bring him down outside the penalty area.
Vaughan inevitably saw red and once substitute keeper Andrew Delve was in place Maidenhead should have scored from the resulting free-kick.
A neat move saw Traynor loft the ball over the wall to Stephen Hughes in space but his shot was blocked by Delve.
As the old cliché would have it Newport were inspired by their loss and had two good chances to open the scoring – a perfect last ditch tackle from Kersey stopping a blistering run from Cortez Belle in the area and moments later United keeper Jody Wainwright had to be alert to tip a deflected long range effort over the bar.
On 32 minutes Maidenhead made the extra man count. After some good work from Traynor on the left wing, Hughes caught Darren Jones in possession and returned the ball to Traynor who picked it up in the penalty box and fired home.
Newport equalised just before half-time from a short corner. The kick was passed to Wayne O’Sullivan on the left wing and his speculative long shot took a wicked deflection off Bryan Smith to leave Wainwright no chance of stopping the ball which crept inside the near post.
As the half-time whistle blew Newport were dealt another blow when tricky winger, Welsh international Jason Bowen was carried off.
The second half soon caught fire when Bell was cautioned for a challenge on Kersey which forced the centre back to leave the pitch for a few minutes to get his head bandaged up.
On 55 minutes Belle saw red for his second booking following a nasty challenge on Smith.
Now facing nine men the Magpies piled forward but wave after wave of attacks were broken up on the steady rock of the Newport defence.
As Smith and Kersey began to feel the effects of their injuries in the middle of defence, County began to look dangerous on the counter-attack, and, roared on by their inspirational supporters, looked most likely to win the game in the last 15 minutes.
With just seven minutes to go Matt Green raced clear and seemed certain to score only to be denied by a brave save at his feet by Wainwright.
One minute later the Magpies had their best chance of the half when a 40-yard shot from Barrie Matthews was scrambled wide by Delve.

STRONG: Damon Ming holds off a challenge. Ref:89739/9