Newport County close gap on leading pack with victory

Newport County came from a goal behind to beat Carlisle United 2-1 this afternoon to move them within a point of the automatic promotion places in League Two.

Carlisle took a 12th-minute lead when Courtney Meppen-Walter rose highest at Kyle Dempsey's corner and slammed a header into the back of the net.

The opening goal gave the visitors confidence and only a smart save from Joe Day prevented Dempsey from putting Carlisle two goals ahead 15 minutes in.

Newport came close to levelling after half an hour when Aaron O'Connor struck the post with a rebound from Mark Byrne's free kick, but the hosts did make it 1-1 in the final minute of the first half as Adam Chapman coolly dispatched a penalty after Ryan Jackson's surging run into the box was illegally halted.

Byrne almost put the hosts ahead for the first time in the match in the 60th minute with an audacious volley which flew just wide before Jackson came close after a mazy run.

Nonetheless, 20 minutes from time Lee Minshull made it 2-1 with a poacher's finish after O'Connor had struck the post for the second time in the game.

Troy Archibald-Henville wasted a late chance for the visitors, but Newport held on to secure a victory which takes them up to fourth place in the table.