NEWPORT CTY...1 GILLINGHAM...0
WILL Evans’ 23rd goal of the season was enough to earn Newport County a big three points against fellow play-off hopefuls Gillingham at Rodney Parade.
The striker’s sublime volley in the 61st minute secured a league double over the Gills, following a 2-0 win at Priestfield Stadium in October.
But, more importantly, following the midweek home defeat by Notts County, the victory reinvigorated the Exiles’ hopes of making the top seven.
Graham Coughlan’s men remain 14th in the League Two table, but they are now just two points below seventh-placed Harrogate Town with 14 games still to play.
It was by no means a classic, but the final whistle was met with huge cheers as the home fans dare to dream again.
Coughlan was able to recall fitagain Aaron Wildig into the starting XI, but he was without injured captain Ryan Delaney.
That meant Scot Bennett took the armband and dropped back into defence to replace Delaney.
An instantly forgettable first half should have been enlivened by a goal from Seb Palmer-Houlden after 13 minutes.
A superb Adam Lewis cross from the left was inexplicably headed wide by the striker with the goal at his mercy.
Exiles goalkeeper Nick Townsend, making his 150th appearance for the club, saved comfortably from Oli Hawkins at the other end.
Wildig fired wide from a County corner, and Tim Dieng guided a close-range header just off target for the visitors. That was that in terms of goalmouth incidents in the first 45 minutes.
Coughlan called on the fans to inspire their team as he jogged to the bench at the start of the second half.
He got his wish as the noise levels cranked up, and the players responded.
After Harry Charsley had twice blocked shots by Remeao Hutton, Bryn Morris sent a fierce effort fizzing towards the top corner, which was beaten away by Gills goalkeeper Jake Turner.
And the breakthrough finally arrived on the hour with a superb goal out of keeping with everything that had preceded it.
Charsley sent in a chipped cross from the left and Evans produced a brilliantly improvised hooked leftfoot volley from around 12 yards, which beat Turner and went in off the post.
The lively Palmer-Houlden could have doubled County lead two minutes later, but his shot was blocked by Conor Masterson.
Gillingham offered little in attack for much of the game, but Townsend was required to make an impressive reflex save – down low to his left – to deny Dieng an equaliser 13 minutes from time.
Coughlan introduced defender Kyle Jameson as he looked to close out the game and the centre-back, making his first appearance since August due to injury, made a vital block to keep out Connor Mahoney’s shot and secure the three points.
NEWPORT COUNTY N Townsend; M Baker, S Bennett, J Clarke; S McLoughlin, B Morris, H Charsley (M Bondswell, 90), A Wildig (K Jameson, 82), A Lewis; W Evans, S Palmer-Houlden (O Zanzala, 88) Substitutes not used: J Maxted, L Payne, J Waite, L Jephcott
GILLINGHAM J Turner; R Hutton, C Masterson, M Ehmer, S Ogie (J Williams, 72), M Clark (S Malone, 80); T Dieng (J Clarke, 80), E Coleman, G Lapslie (A Nadesen, 46); C Mahoney, O Hawkins (J Walker, 80) Substitutes not used: G Morris, R McKenzie
REFEREE O Yates
ATTENDANCE 4,724