Newport County 1, Morecambe 1

 

Newport County are still looking across a chasm between themselves and safety in League Two after throwing away two points at home to Morecambe.

County led through an Aaron Williams goal but failed to make the most of other opportunities after dominating the first-half.

They were made to pay after the break when an uncharacteristic error by goalkeeper Joe Day enabled Morecambe’s Michael Rose to claim an equaliser.

The draw means a golden opportunity has slipped by for County who remain six points adrift of clearing the relegation zone, having crucially now played their game in hand card.

Having surrendered a 2-1 lead at Cambridge United last Saturday before losing 3-2 late on, Newport have now thrown away five priceless points from winning positions in two matches.

Williams made the most of Ryan Bird’s mis-hit shot to tap Newport into an 18th-minute lead.

But Morecambe, who had lost just once in nine matches going into the game, equalised in the 64th minute when a free-kick from Rose deceived keeper Day and nestled in the net.

Manager Graham Westley had refused to concede this game was of the must-win variety, but a draw was not what he was looking for.

The share of the spoils means County have now lost only once in their last eight matches, but they have won only one game in that sequence, also, with six draws.

Draws will not be enough to keep the club in the Football League, but at least Westley’s side can offer some hope should they get something from Saturday’s trip to Mansfield.

They then face Orient at home in their next match, opponents just three points and one place above County.