Newport AFC vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers make their point - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Fewer points will be harder earned this season that the one Gresley Rovers returned from Gloucester with last night.
Desperate to avoid defeat to maintain their flagging Beazer Midland promotion challenge, Rovers produced a performance full of character, grit and determination to wrest a point from a Newport side rated by manager Steve Dolby: "The best in the league."
Newport certainly looked the part as they ripped into the Moatmen right from the off, raining crosses on Bob Aston's goal from all angles.
Rovers had a let-off as early as the ninth minute, Eston Chiverton escaping down the left before firing a low cross shot inches wide of the far post, then Stuart Evans needed lengthy treatment after bravely blocking the centre forward right on the goal line after Ray Pulis had crossed right into the danger area.
Former Welsh international Nigel Vaughan fired across the face of the goal before Rovers produced their only goal attempt of the half, Martin Dick firing over after a right wing overlap.
Martin Devaney failed to test Peter Mason with an attempted lob as Rovers kept battling in the second period, but they were soon back-pedalling and Aston produced the first of a string of great saves when he blocked Chiverton's close-range shot after a clearance had been blocked.
The keeper bettered that with a breathtaking one-handed stop to keep out Ray Pulis' 18-yard shot before Rovers twice went close themselves, Richard Denby firing wide after a one-two with Ian Scott then Martin Devaney heading straight to the keeper after the substitute's long throw had come off a defender.
Pulis saw two shots superbly held by Aston then fired inches over then producing a left wing cross that Evans cleared with a superb header off the goal line.
Newport chased the points right up to the final whistle but Rovers had a final let-off when Chiverton's cross from the left flew across the face of goal in the final minute.
Newport AFC (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Newport AFC: Mason, Jones, Lewis, Price, Coyne, Poretta, Lowndes, Pulis, Chiverton, Vaughan, Threfall. Subs not used: Brown, Pengelly.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Dick, Foster, Denby, Evans, Rigg, Wardle, Hurst, Acklam (Scott 45), Devaney, Weston. Sub not used: Land.
Gresley Rovers man-of-the-match: Bob Aston.
Referee: G S Haslewood (Redditch).
Attendance: 300
