NEWPORT County AFC earned a second successive League Two win after Mickey Demetriou’s 95th-minute header sealed all three points at Barrow on Saturday.

Like Swindon Town the week before, Barrow were reduced to 10 men and County took advantage to claim another vital victory.

Here are some talking points from Holker Street…

Redemption for Demetriou:

Exiles boss Graham Coughlan singled out the match-winner for praise, arguing that he “responded like a true captain” after “a tough couple of weeks.”

Coughlan was referring to his skipper’s two errors that led to goals in the 2-0 defeat in their previous away game at Carlisle United on January 14.

It clearly wasn’t Demetriou’s finest day at Brunton Park last month but there can have been little doubt in many fans’ minds that the centre-back would bounce back.

From the Great Escape to two Wembley play-off finals and countless cup runs, Demetriou will go down as a club legend.

And, while he’s more than likely entering the final few years of his career with his 33rd birthday approaching next month, he certainly shouldn’t be written off yet. He still has a big part to play for County.

Exiles in the red:

Two wins on the bounce against promotion hopefuls is a great return for Coughlan’s men but there’s no doubt that they benefitted from contentious red cards shown to their opponents in both games.

Swindon’s Rushian Hepburn-Murphy probably had to go for his push on Cameron Norman last week – even though Coughlan claimed it was a harsh red – and playing against 10 men for more than 75 minutes was certainly a big factor in the Exiles’ surprise win.

And, while Rory Feely’s dismissal on Saturday didn’t come until the 81st minute, it again helped County to claim a huge three points.

Barrow, like Swindon before them, were aggrieved and Feely’s challenge definitely looked more thud and blunder rather than blood and thunder.

But, credit to County for taking full advantage once again after a first-half performance that Coughlan admitted was sloppy.

Relegation fears easing:

That late winner was all the sweeter for the 95 travelling fans as they studied the table on the long journey back home.

County’s victory, coupled with Gillingham’s defeat at Mansfield Town, means that Coughlan’s men have opened up an eight-point cushion over the Gills in 23rd.

There is still plenty of football to be played over the next three months, but Exiles fans will be breathing a little easier this morning and the manager’s assertion that he’s only looking up the table carries that bit more weight.

Forgotten victory:

There was talk after the match that this was County’s first win at Holker Street since 1964 but that would have come as news to the 802 supporters who saw Justin Edinburgh’s side ease to a 3-0 win in Barrow back in September 2012.

Two late goals from Danny Crow after Lee Evans’ opener sealed another three points on the road to promotion from the Conference at Wembley the following May.

Saturday was, however, County’s first Football League victory away to Barrow in almost 60 years – although it was only the seventh time they’ve made the arduous trip in the League since then.