NEWPORT County AFC were hit by a second-half comeback when beaten 3-2 at League Two promotion hopefuls Port Vale.

The Exiles were scenting a win to boost their hopes of avoiding a relegation scrap when they led 2-1 at the break and then had some chances soon after the restart.

However, the Valiants ramped up the pressure and deservedly turned it around to climb to third.

County, meanwhile, are 20th and were just thankful that bottom club Carlisle and one-from-bottom Morecambe lost at home to Bradford and Crewe respectively.

Nelson Jardim’s side are six points above the drop zone and now face a vital fixture against fellow strugglers Swindon in Newport on Friday – a must-not-lose, and arguably must-win.

HEADER: Cameron Evans celebrates after putting County 2-1 up at Port Vale (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

County led 2-1 at the break after striking twice from set plays with winger Bobby Kamwa flicking up and then nodding in after 11 minutes and then, after Ben Garrity levelled from a corner, right-back Cameron Evans headed in an Oliver Greaves free-kick in the 33rd minute.

However, Vale levelled in the 62nd minute when Jayden Stockley, a half-time substitute and a menace when the sides met in Newport, scored from close range.

They then hit the front with 13 to go when Jaheim Headley drove past Jacob Carney at his near post.

It got worse when Kyle Jameson - who was sent off for kicking the ball into the Vale fans in Newport in September - was sent off for his second booking in the 87th minute.

It was his third dismissal of the campaign, all of them for two bookings.

He will miss the Swindon game and it’s likely that his fellow central defender Ciaran Brennan will as well after being helped off in the first half with an arm injury.

Anything would have been a bonus at Vale Park against contenders for automatic promotion but points are essential in a key spell in Newport.

County gave a debut to David Ajiboye after his arrival on loan from Peterborough while fellow new recruit Tom Davies, a left-back signed from Cardiff, was on the bench.

Cameron Evans got his first appearance since November 23 while Oliver Greaves got the nod up front ahead of Kyle Hudlin, with Luke Jephcott not in the matchday squad.

With Cameron Evans back in the XI at right-back, that meant a shift to the left for captain Shane McLoughlin.

County almost made a disastrous start after goalkeeper Jacob Carney, starting in the absence of the injured Nick Townsend, was close to adding to his list of clangers inside the first minute.

The novice stopper took a heavy touch from a simple back pass from Matt Baker inside his box and Antwoine Hackford really should have done better.

County were unlucky not to hit the front in the 11th minute when Kieron Evans hit the inside of the left post with a wonderful shot from distance, the ball rebounded out, hit 'keeper Ben Amos and bounced past his post for a corner.

The Exiles struck from it with Greaves' delivery looping up from a Vale head to be headed on by Cameron Evans. Kamwa flicked it up and nodded past Amos.

Vale, with their supporters getting frustrated, failed to respond swiftly with the only opening of note coming in the 23rd minute when Garrity fluffed his lines in the box.

That was quickly followed by Ryan Croasdale heading a yard wide from a dangerous ball in, with Carney having it covered.

Suddenly the Valiants were building up a head of steam and Garrity curled an effort from the edge of the box that was straight at the Exiles 'keeper.

County struck from a set piece but they then conceded the leveller from one.

With shades of Bromley, the ball was whipped in from the right by Jaheim Headley and Garrity headed in from six yards out in the middle of the goal.

Vale were on top and Headley tried to turn from provider to scorer but his driven shot from the left was straight at Carney.

It looked like the hosts would take control but then County got their lead back with a sucker punch in the 33rd minute.

Greaves curled in a free-kick and, with Kyle John slipping and desperately appealing for a free-kick, Cameron Evans headed in.

The Exiles suffered a blow in the 38th minute when Ciaran Brennan was forced off clutching his left arm after a heavy fall when grappling with Hackford, Kyle Jameson his replacement.

Carney made a smart save to keep County's lead in the 45th minute when Hackford burst through for a one-on-one.

There were seven minutes of added time and in the first of them new boy Ajiboye cut in from the right and tested Amos at his near post from the edge of the area.

County led 2-1 at the break and boos from the home support were music to their ears.

Darren Moore made a double change at the break - with Jayden Stockley, whose physicality caused County problems in Newport, on up front - and his side had an early half-chance but Croasdale fired over from the edge of the area.

County were close to a third after 50 minutes when lovely feet by Kieron Evans allowed Kai Whitmore, after a nice turn, to drive narrowly over from the edge of the area.

The midfielder then should have made it 3-1 in the 54th minute when he dispossessed Sam Hart, broke into the area but allowed Nathan Smith to block his effort.

County safely made it to the hour with their lead intact, as frustration grew in the home ranks.

However, there were roars again in the 62nd minute when Lorent Tolaj outfoxed Kieron Evans down the right and crossed for Smith to nod across and Stockley to prod in.

Suddenly it was a serious test for the Exiles as the Valiants piled on the pressure and forced the visitors into frantic defence.

County were under the pump and Carney parried away after Stockley turned and fired in a shot in the 69th minute.

That prompted changes from Jardim with Michael Spellman and Hudlin sent on for Whitmore and Ajiboye, but that didn’t change the story.

The turnaround was complete in the 77th minute when Headley cut in after a corner was cleared out and beat Carney at his near post.

The goalkeeper was at fault but then showed his talent with a remarkable save to deny Stockley, getting down low to his right and clawing the header out.

However, County were unable to force any pressure at the other end and were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages when Jameson went to ground and took out Tolaj.

The central defender could have no complaints about the dismissal.

County could have no complaints about the result.

Port Vale scorers: Garrity, Stockley, Headley.

County: Carney, C Evans, Brennan (Jameson 37), Baker, McLoughlin (captain), K Evans, Antwi, Ajiboye (Hudlin 70), Whitmore (Spellman 70), Kamwa, Greaves (Davies 83).

Substitutes not used: Webb, Clarke, Bony.

Scorers: Kamwa, C Evans.

Red: Jameson.

Referee: Stephen Parkinson.