Paul Hayes, Newport County’s experienced striker, is claiming the first hat-trick in a professional career that started 17 years ago.

Essex-born Hayes, 34, started out at Norwich and has fired 148 goals in more than 600 first team appearances for 14 clubs.

Dan Butler was credited with the first Newport goal in their 3-3 League Two draw against Forest Green Rovers at Rodney Parade, but Hayes was quick to point out ‘I scored all three.’

“Butts has done well, but it’s my goal,” said Hayes after the game. “He put it in the area and a striker’s instinct is to flick it on. That’s what I’ve done and it’s my goal. Unlucky Butts.”

There is no question Hayes scored Newport’s second and third goals – and his treble has put him two goals away from 150 in his career.

Newport County led 3-2 at half-time against Rovers, but they are now without a league win since January 19.

A sixth minute Dan Butler own goal put Forest Green ahead in what was effectively a Severnside derby with the Gloucestershire club only an hour away along the M4.

It seemed that Butler made amends for his OG by scoring the equaliser – until Hayes said: “No, it’s my goal.”

Newport levelled the scored after nine minutes when Hayes touched on a Butler half volley from 25 yards.

That came after Newport-born Christian Doidge tried to head clear from a County corner and watched in disbelief as the ball flew back into the Rovers net.

Butler then set up Hayes for his second goal, headed in from two yards, before Rovers equalised after 30 minutes when Gavin Gunning netted.

County regained the lead when Hayes reacted instinctively and passed the ball into Forest Green’s net from close in after 40 minutes.

Newport badly needed a win, but they were denied when substitute Lee Collins scored to make it 3-3, firing in off a post from just outside the penalty area.

The draw saw County rise one place in the table, moving ahead of Cambridge United into 13th place. They are eight points away from the play-offs with 11 games left.

Manager Mike Flynn elected to made one change to his starting line-up following a 0-0 draw at Port Vale with Hayes called in for his first start.

Captain Joss Labadie completed his suspension by missing the match, while Frank Nouble was not in the match day 18.

Substitute Marlon Jackson almost scored to make it 4-2 when his shot was blocked by Alex Bray and then Gunning tracked back well to deny Jackson from the rebound.

The away team made County pay for those missed chances when they grabbed their second equaliser of the night with six minutes left.

The next match for County is against Yeovil Town away this Saturday.

County: Day, Pipe, White, O’Brien (capt, Osadebe 67), Demetriou, Butler, Willmott (Sheehan 85), Dolan, Tozer, Amond, Hayes (Jackson 65). Subs not used: Bittner, McCoulsky, Reid, Collins

Forest Green: Collins, Bennett, Gunning, Rawson, Hollis, Bray (Brown 78), Clements (Collins 65), Osbourne, Grubb, Doidge (Wishart 58), Reid. Subs not used: Belford, Laird, Cooper, Campbell

Referee: Christopher Sarginson

Attendance: 2,862 (283 away fans)