15/8/09

Lewes performed magnificently in Wales this afternoon, securing a 2-2 draw against Newport County.

After the battering the Rooks took at Braintree, a visit to Newport was the last thing that they needed, but the players battled hard and went ahead twice, conceding the second equaliser only four minutes from time.

A sweet move involving Williams Peauroux and Sam Crabb saw the striker squeeze through the defence in the 24th minute for a deserved opening goal, with Lewes dominating much of the early stages.

County manager Dean Holdsworth kicked his players out the dressing room at half time a full seven minutes early such was his anger at his team's performance, but he got the reaction he wanted.

Sam Foley drew the scores level despite being suspiciously offside four minutes after the re-start, and the visiting supporters started to fear what might follow.

Encouragingly though, the visitors dug deep and worked hard, with Jack Walder adding some steel to the middle of the park and Rikki Banks making an important contribution in an entertaining encounter.

Lewes hit back in the 64th minute when a trademark David Wheeler cross was met by Joe Keehan running in at the near post, for a lead that seemed improbable but deserved at the same time.

Newport's fans grew anxious that the routine three points they probably felt were on offer at three o'clock wouldn't materialise, and their anxiety was felt on the pitch by the County players and the referee, who took a lot of stick.

With just four minutes left, Danny Rose broke Lewes hearts to earn County an undeserved point, but the Rooks should feel very pleased with a performance that was significantly better than their previous one.