County left to rue another costly clanger after Chesterfield win at Parade

NEWPORT County AFC were left to lament another clanger after being condemned to a third defeat on the spin by Chesterfield.

The Exiles, who lost at Harrogate after an error by novice goalkeeper Jacob Carney, suffered a 3-0 defeat at Rodney Parade, but it was a scoreline shaped by a nightmare start.

County were behind after just 43 seconds after a calamitous lack of communication between recalled goalkeeper Nick Townsend and centre-back Kyle Jameson that allowed Dilan Markanday to roll into the unguarded goal.

They trailed 1-0 at the break and things needed to improve dramatically, which they did to ramp up the pressure in the closing stages.

There was controversy when claims that Chesterfield ‘keeper Max Thompson had carried a cross over his line and then Kyle Hudlin struck the post with an overhit cross.

A rare draw, or perhaps better, looked possible but then Will Grigg showed his finishing prowess still burns bright with a late double.

APPEAL: James Clarke appeals for a County goal after Chesterfield goalkeeper Max Thompson claimed a corner (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Cruel or not, it was another pointless fixture for County as they continue to swing from winning runs to losing streak. They must hope that a batch of three-pointers comes soon.

Defeat leaves the Exiles watching the results, particularly those of the teams at the bottom, closely on Saturday before going again at Gillingham on Tuesday.

That tough assignment is followed by a home game against Fleetwood in a spell that is vital after a steady start to life under Nelson Jardim.

County made four changes to the XI from the 1-0 defeat at Harrogate with goalkeeper Townsend back from international duty and left-back Anthony Glennon available after suspension.

Cameron Antwi got the nod ahead of Noah Mawene in midfield while Courtney Baker-Richardson came in up front for Kyle Hudlin.

County also welcomed back midfielder Kai Whitmore as a substitute, with the summer signing from Haverfordwest back from a calf injury suffered after a goal-scoring performance against Doncaster in mid-August.

The subs had barely sat down before the Exiles were chasing the game after a disastrous mix-up.

Jameson and Townend both closed in on a long ball but neither dealt with it and that allowed Markanday an unexpected opener.

It was a classic ‘if in doubt…’ moment.

County responded reasonably well in an open start between two sides that score and concede plenty.

Chesterfield’s Jenson Metcalfe went close with a curler that had Townsend scrambling in the 18th minute before the game hit a bit of a slump.

The game passed the half hour without the Exiles testing Max Thompson with a shot on target.

The stopper was finally called into action in the 39th minute when good work by Antwi – just before he was harshly booked – leading to Kieron Evans curling a left-footed effort that was comfortably held.

That was the final incident of note in an underwhelming half that came off the back of an underwhelming 90 at Harrogate.

Jardim made a half-time change with Whitmore on for the disappointing Antwi but the pattern continued in the opening stages of the second half.

The Exiles were meek and were relieved when a scramble from a corner ended with Townsend falling on the ball.

They needed a spark and got one with a driving run by Whitmore that earned a free-kick on the 22 metres out but Bryn Morris’ 57th-minute effort was straight at Thompson.

DENIED: Courtney Baker-Richardson forces the Chesterfield defence to scramble (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency)

Jardim made another two changes on the hour when captain Aaron Wildig and Kieron Evans were replaced by Mawene and Hudlin, who joined Baker-Richardson up front.

The giant striker promptly had a golden chance when fine work by Mawene down the left led to a cross that just eluded Baker-Richardson but Hudlin couldn’t quite sort his feet out and then his effort was blocked behind.

That was followed by appeals for a penalty after Baker-Richardson chased a ball over the top and forced the defence to scramble; he went down but it would have been a generous spot-kick that would have made Chesterfield boss Paul Cook implode.

County then suffered a blow when sub Mawene – with shades of Seb Palmer-Houlden fresh off the bench last season – seemed to pull a muscle chasing a long ball.

The Preston loanee went off and was replaced by winger Michael Spellman, the Exiles’ last permitted substitution.

That was promptly followed by a spell of County pressure, with two big moments.

First there were claims that Thompson carried the ball over his line when claiming a Glennon corner – tough to judge from the back of the Riverside Stand – and then a Hudlin cross hit the far post, then the ‘keeper and bounced clear.

It was one-way traffic but then the Spireites clinched the spoils with a rare attack in the 84th minute.

Slightly hesitant goalkeeping and defending allowed Grigg to score after a cross from the right.

The Northern Irish international repeated the trick in the 87th minute with a cunning finish, twisting the knife on a night when the losing streak could, perhaps should, have been ended.

County: Townsend, Brennan, Clarke, Jameson, Glennon, Morris, Antwi (Whitmore 45), K Evans (Mawene 60, Spellman 67), Wildig (captain, Hudlin 60), Kamwa, Baker-Richardson.

Substitutes: Carney, C Evans, Greaves.

Yellow: Antwi, Wildig.

Chesterfield goals: Markanday, Grigg (2).

Referee: Thomas Parsons.

Attendance: 4,570 (373 Chesterfield).