Bird strike lifts Exiles off bottom

NEWPORT COUNTY moved off the bottom of the Football League after a second straight win for caretaker boss Michael Flynn.

Ryan Bird’s second half penalty secured maximum points for the Exiles at the Globe Arena which backed up their 2-1 win at Crewe on Saturday.

It took County above Leyton Orient, who were hammered 5-0 at Accrington, in the League Two table and, although there is still much work to do, this offers genuine hope that Flynn – who replaced the sacked Graham Westley last week – can mastermind the Great Escape.

Flynn named an unchanged starting line-up from Gresty Road, although there was one change to the bench with midfielder Mark Randall – who had been frozen out by Westley – returning in place of Craig Reid.

Scot Bennett was forced to clear off the line two minutes in after Rhys Turner had rounded keeper Joe Day before Tom Owen-Evans forced a decent save from Barry Roche at the other end moments later.

The Exiles looked a real threat going forward with skipper Joss Labadie and Mark O’Brien both going close.

Newport had an excellent chance to take the lead after 13 minutes, with Roche saving well from Bird and Sid Nelson firing over from the resultant corner.

Sean Rigg twice went close, including a header just wide from Dan Butler’s cross on 37 minutes.

Flynn’s side were given a let off right on half time when Antony Evans rattled the crossbar.

Bird had an effort hacked off the line by Dean Winnard just after the re-start before Day was called in action to save Paul Mullin’s dipping effort.

The breakthrough finally arrived on 67 minutes when Alex Samuel was brought down inside the box and Bird confidently dispatched the penalty.

Morecambe pressed for a leveller with Owen-Evans producing a fine block to deny a certain goal and, after seven agonising minutes of stoppage time, the visitors celebrated a crucial win.