Matt’s finish saves Exiles

BURY ................................... 1 NEWPORT CO ................... 1

NEWPORT County came from behind to take a hard-fought point in a battling display at Bury in SkyBet League Two.

Both sides showed their attacking intent from the first whistle as Robbie Willmott fired a free kick just wide for County before David Pipe deflected Danny Mayor’s effort for a corner.

Visiting wing-back Tyler Forbes and in-form Bury forward Nicky Maynard both went close before the latter broke the deadlock on 20 minutes.

The striker flicked the ball beyond his marker before firing from the edge of the box past Joe Day for his fifth goal in four games.

County struggled to react and the hosts enjoyed dominance for the rest of the half.

Dominic Telford and Maynard both troubled the Exiles’ defence but Day wasn’t forced into any more action before the break.

The format continued after the restart with the hosts controlling the game and Maynard was close to doubling Bury’s lead.

Chris Stokes claimed possession from a Newport attack and started a break with his long kick reaching Maynard but he couldn’t direct a shot on target.

Mike Flynn made an early change with forward Antoine Semenyo replacing Charlie Cooper and he made an instant impact as his cross was knocked in by Jamille Matt, who took his tally to nine for the season.

County had Day to thank for keeping the score level moments later as former Cardiff City striker Maynard found himself one-onone with the 28-year-old but the goalkeeper came out on top with a point-blank save.

County grew into the game as Semenyo almost burst through before losing control of the ball but the hosts still showed their attacking threat as a Mayor shot almost crept in before a strong hand from Day denied him.

Mayor was at it again on 77 minutes as he danced into space but once again Day came to the rescue for the visitors.

Bury looked the more likely to grab a late winner and Maynard looked to have got it in the dying minutes as he rounded the onrushing Day but he could find only the side-netting.

Bury: J Murphy; W Aimson, A Thompson, C Stokes; N Adams, J O’Shea, N Danns (capt) (A Barjonas 85), D Mayor, C McFadzean; D Telford (C Dagnall 66), N Maynard.

Newport County: J Day; D Pipe, M O’Brien, M Demetriou (capt); T Forbes, R Willmott (C Pring 85), S Bennett, D Butler; C Cooper (A Semenyo 52); J Matt, P Amond.

JAY BAYFORD