By Paul Jones
James Rowberry believes Newport County have proven they have the stomach for a festive promotion surge.
The County manager was full of praise for the manner in which his team fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Sutton United 3-2 at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night.
Matty Dolan’s stoppage-time penalty capped Newport’s turnaround victory to beat 10-man Sutton, who had Craig Eastmond sent off for a foul on Robbie Wilmott.
David Ajiboye’s two stunning goals on either side of a red card for away captain Eastmond gave Sutton a 2-0 halftime lead against the run of play.
But Rowberry’s Exiles came roaring back in the second half to make use of their numerical advantage and Lewis Collins and Courtney Baker-Richardson levelled things up.
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We reckon you will want to see these a few times (if you haven’t already!)
The best of last night’s dramatic comeback is now on the club YouTube channel.#NCAFChttps://t.co/qhYeCoQ5cp
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) December 8, 2021
Collins was then bundled over in the box in four minutes of added time and Dolan won it.
The result leaves Newport handily placed as they go into the hectic Christmas fixture list. They lay eighth, but are level on points with Leyton Orient who occupy the last play-off position.
They are also only four points off the automatic promotion places.
“We have shown resilience to come back and that was the first time this season that we have gone 1-0 down and come back to win a game,” said manager Rowberry, who has taken 14 points out of a possible 21 since taking the job.
“That shows that we are on an upward climb, I believe. A few choice words were said at half-time and they responded brilliantly, so I can’t fault the lads.
“I wouldn’t say that it was scraping the paint off the wall because I am not particularly that way inclined, but I just said about my disappointment with the goals as a collective.
“It’s the first time that I have had to do that at half-time and they responded really well. We have just got to build on that now and keep moving.”
Rowberry’s side now has the benefit of another home fixture on Saturday, when they host Port Vale, who are currently third in the table.
“Port Vale will be tough,” added Rowberry. “They are a good team and we will be the underdogs because of what they have got available.”
After Port Vale, Newport are away at Rochdale before they host runaway leaders Forest Green at Rodney Parade on Boxing Day.
The morning after the night before
We won’t forget last night in a hurry! #NCAFC pic.twitter.com/aeDpXCnnRr
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) December 8, 2021
Ajiboye’s slaloming run and finish saw him beat four Exiles defenders to open the scoring in the 24th minute.
It was so good his Sutton team-mates went mad with their celebrations, midfielder Rob Milsom somehow losing his shorts in the melee.
Sutton had Eastmond sent off for a nasty tackle on Robbie Willmott but their winger came up trumps once more three minutes before the break.
Ajiboye again cut in from the right and made a fool of Newport left-back Ryan Haynes for a second time before curling his shot into the far corner, this time with his left foot.
Haynes suffered humiliation as he was subbed at half-time but Newport came roaring back without him as Collins and Baker-Richardson found the net.
Newport dominated the second half and finally grabbed a winner when Collins was fouled in the box in added time and Dolan slotted home.