A SPIRITED showing by Newport County AFC at Bescot Stadium wasn’t enough to derail League Two leaders Walsall’s promotion charge after a pair of Nathan Lowe strikes.

The Saddlers were frustrated by the Exiles for much of the afternoon in the West Midlands but took the spoils 2-0 to show why they are likely to be playing in the third tier next season.

County would have been content to head back to their changing room on level terms after a goalless first half.

They were tidy on the ball but didn’t pose enough problems in the final third, while the Saddlers finished strongly to suggest that they would step things up after the restart.

The hosts tried but County more than matched them as the game remained in the balance into the closing stages.

However, Walsall got their noses in front in the 73rd minute when prolific Stoke loanee Lowe made up for some earlier misses by finishing from inside the box for his 15th of the season.

The teenager twisted the knife in the fifth minute of added time with a sweet strike on the break.

TUSSLE: County's Michael Spellman battles with Harry Williams of Walsall (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

It was deserved on the balance of play but still tough to take for the Exiles after they put so much into a game against formidable opposition who are now 13 unbeaten and have won six on the spin.

The result was not a surprise but, after the Boxing Day loss at Bromley, the defeat does heap the pressure on for the upcoming home fixtures against AFC Wimbledon and Morecambe.

It would be nice if County can hit the heights of the 6-3 hammering of Milton Keynes Dons but frankly it’s about points rather than performance for now.

Four or six would do nicely to keep or build the gap to the relegation scrap.

Nelson Jardim made two changes from the side that was outmuscled in Bromley with Kai Whitmore coming into midfield for the absent Bryn Morris while Luke Jephcott, who was excellent in the 6-3 win over Milton Keynes Dons, got the nod up front.

That meant a return to the bench for Kyle Hudlin where he was joined by fellow giant striker Hamzad Kargbo, fit again after suffering a dislocated shoulder at Cheltenham on opening day.

The head coach has been insistent that there is no Plan B as the Exiles try to develop a possession-based style, yet that pair provided him with the option.

County had a nervy start, with a flick-on by former Rodney Parade favourite Jamille Matt causing problems in the box after 10 seconds, but responded well with a pair of Michael Spellman crosses from the left doing likewise at the other end.

It was a calm and composed start by the Exiles, ensuring that all the noise was coming from the 664-strong Amber Army… and they weren’t shy in telling those in the other stands that.

County’s dominance of the ball made a mockery of the league table and the only grumble was that they failed to work goalkeeper Tommy Simkin as it remained goalless after 20 minutes.

The pattern remained the same past the half hour as the visitors posed questions with Jephcott dropping deeper and Whitmore higher, while they dealt with the long approach of the hosts as they tried to play off Matt.

There was a half-chance in the 32nd minute when a Walsall attack broke down and the Exiles countered but Bobby Kamwa’s left-footed shot after cutting inside was weak and was thumped clear by Liam Gordon.

Walsall had a pair of quickfire half-chances after 36 and 37 minutes but Nick Townsend saved comfortably from Matt’s header and Lowe’s shot.

The latter should have put the hosts in front on the stroke of half-time as they stepped things up.

County kept three players in attack after their corner problems at Bromley but Lowe, one of six Walsall men in the box, found space only to nod wide from the near post after Charlie Lakin’s delivery from their right.

(Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

That miss ensured it was still level-pegging at the break but Walsall continued to push after the restart with Matt heading a tough chance wide and then failing to connect with an easier one.

The former County man made way for the last half hour as the Saddlers took a different approach for the bid to turn one point into three.

It was the Exiles with the next chance for the opener but Kieron Evans’ free-kick lacked the power or direction to seriously trouble Simkin in the 65th minute.

Lowe wasted another chance from close range but made no mistake to put the Saddlers in front in the 73rd minute, slotting after County couldn’t clear their lines from a corner and the ball was put back into the box.

Jardim made a triple change to hunt a leveller but it took a sensational Townsend stop at full stretch in the 82nd minute to deny Ryan Stirk and keep it at 1-0.

That kept County in with a chance but they failed to mount any serious pressure and were condemned to a defeat to finish 2024 when Lowe struck on the counter with a superb left-footed finish.

Walsall scorer: Lowe (2).

County: Townsend, McLoughlin (captain), Brennan, Baker, Glennon, K Evans, Antwi (Miley 75), Kamwa (Hudlin 85), Whitmore (Jameson 85), Spellman (Greaves 75), Jephcott (Kargbo 75).

Substitutes not used: Carney, Clarke.

Yellow: Glennon.

Referee: Carl Brook.

Attendance: 6,706 (664 County)