Matt nabs point in six-goal thriller

NEWPORT COUNTY ........ 3 MACCLESFIELD ............... 3

JAMILLE Matt’s equaliser seven minutes into added time snatched a point for Newport County against basement boys Macclesfield at Rodney Parade last night.

It was a tale of three penalties, two of them converted by David Fitzpatrick which looked to have earned the Silkmen a first win of the campaign – until the late drama unfolded.

Mike Flynn made three changes to the side that started Saturday’s 4-2 comeback win against Cambridge United.

Joe Day, who missed that game due to personal reasons, returned in goal while Charlie Cooper and Matt – the two-goal hero off the bench at the weekend – were also back in the side.

But, for the second time in the space of four days, Newport found themselves trailing 2-0 at home.

The visitors drew first blood after seven minutes when Fiacre Kelleher rose highest to meet Tyrone Marsh’s corner at the far post and head his side in front.

And it got worse for the Exiles only four minutes later, conceding a penalty as Dan Butler was adjudged to have fouled Marsh inside the area.

Fitzpatrick stepped up and duly slotted past Day from the spot to double Macclesfield’s lead.

Newport hit back a minute shy of the half-hour mark following a cleverly worked corner routine straight from the training ground.

Padraig Amond flicked the corner into the path of Dan Butler who did the rest, firing home from the edge of the box past Kieran O’Hara.

Amond went close with an effort just before the break, as County trailed 2-1, and then only a brilliant save from O’Hara kept out a header from Amond following a Butler cross.

The home side’s equaliser did arrive on 59 minutes when referee Trevor Kettle pointed to the spot after Matt was pulled back in the area.

Up stepped captain Mickey Demetriou – who also scored from the spot against Cambridge – to make it 2-2.

A third penalty of the night, though, on 82 minutes put the visitors back in front.

Demetriou was penalised for handball and Fitzpatrick converted his second penalty.

It looked to have proved decisive – only for Matt to head home with virtually the last touch of the match to salvage a share of the spoils for the home side.

Carl Field