Newport County 1 Stevenage 1: Matt rescues a point for the Exiles

A depleted County side was staring down the barrel of a fifth successive defeat in League Two after an early mistake from player of the season Josh Sheehan.

But Matt’s late intervention provided some relief for Michael Flynn’s men as they enter the hectic Christmas schedule.

Sponsors Paddy Power were handing out free home shirts to fans before the game and many might have been tempted to bring their boots with them as well, such was the length of the Exiles injury list.

Flynn was without Ryan Inniss after the centre-back went down with mumps during the week.

And fellow defenders Kyle Howkins and Dan Leadbitter, midfielders Robbie Willmott, Joss Labadie, Corey Whitely and Keanu Marsh-Brown and striker Ade Azeez were all still sidelined.

There was good news with the welcome return of Mickey Demetriou after 17 weeks out with a broken leg.

But Inniss’ absence meant there was no chance to ease Demetriou in gently and he was forced to start alongside his old friend Mark O’Brien in the heart of the defence.

The other change saw Jamille Matt replace Tristan Abrahams up front, while Scot Bennett was named amongst the substitutes after injury.

He took his place on the bench alongside Abrahams, Dominic Poleon, Tom King and teenagers Lewis Collins, Dominic Jefferies and Joe Woodiwiss.

If not quite down to the bare bones, County were struggling.

And, after four successive defeats in League Two, they desperately needed an early goal to boost their fragile confidence.

The last thing they wanted was to concede in the opening stages, but they found themselves a goal down in the 12th minute after a mistake by Sheehan.

The midfielder, who has been a shining light so far this season, was caught on the ball 25 yards from goal and robbed by Emmanuel Sonupe.

And the Stevenage winger strode forward confidently before stroking the ball past Nick Townsend and into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.

County responded quickly with George Nurse crossing for Padraig Amond to head goalwards, but some shocking defending at the other end almost gifted Stevenage the three points inside the opening 20 minutes.

Matty Dolan lost possession to Elliott List, who saw his cross-shot deflected into the side netting.

And Kurtis Guthrie was only denied by a Townsend block before Demetriou hacked clear.

Despite such a poor start, the Exiles should have levelled when Taylor Maloney carried the ball into the box after a great run but the midfielder curled a shot wide rather than square for Amond to tap in.

Dolan’s long-distance effort just cleared the bar before Amond and Sheehan both had shots blocked in the area, but there was another nervy moment before the break when Townsend fumbled a weak Guthrie shot behind for a corner.

Flynn had seen enough and he made a double change at the start of the second half with Abrahams replacing Dolan and Bennett on for O’Brien, who sustained a cut to the head before the interval.

It was a positive move but there was little sign of immediate improvement as County struggled to create chances on a pitch showing signs of wear and tear after the Dragons’ victory on Friday night.

Stevenage continued to look a threat on the break with neither Bennett nor Demetriou fully fit.

Only smart bocks from Danny McNamara and Abrahams prevented Tyler Denton and Scott Cuthbert from extending the visitors’ lead.

Amond went close to an equaliser on the hour after good work from McNamara, but his shot was deflected just off target.

Maloney then blasted high and wide from 30 yards and County finally began to build some pressure.

But they still looked vulnerable at the back and Demetriou did brilliantly with a last-ditch tackle to deny List after Bennett lost the ball to Sonupe.

McNamara was sacrificed as Lewis Collins was introduced for the final 10 minutes as County searched for an equaliser.

Collins did well to tee up Sheehan for a shot from the edge of the area six minutes from time, but Stevenage stopper Paul Farman was equal to it.

And, just as most had given up hope, George Nurse whipped in a ball from the left and Matt climbed high to head in from close range to prevent another defeat.

County: Townsend; McNamara (Collins, 79), O’Brien (Bennett, 46), Demetriou, Haynes; Maloney, Dolan (Abrahams, 46), Sheehan, Nurse; Amond, Matt

Subs not used: King, Woodiwiss, Jefferies, Poleon

Referee: Christopher Sarginson

Attendance: 3,556 (88 Stevenage)

Argus star man: McNamara