Grimsby Town held to first league draw of the season in stalemate at Newport County

Grimsby Town were finally held to a league draw in an entertaining stalemate against Newport County at Rodney Parade.

The Mariners went into the fixture as the only team in the Football League to have not shared the points so far this season and, with the hosts having only previously drawn once this term, it was perhaps fate the match would ironically end all square.

Town goalkeeper Jordan Wright denied County’s Kyle Hudlin a second-half winner from the penalty spot in the game’s best chance.

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The hosts thought they should have had a penalty in the fifth minute when Kieran Evans appeared to be chopped down in the box, but referee James Oldham waved away the appeals.

When Oldham did point to the spot just before the hour mark, the Mariners were convinced that Kieran Green got the ball as Hudlin tumbled in the area and Cameron McJannet was booked for his protests.

The visitors therefore felt that justice was done when Wright dived at full stretch low to his left to keep out Hudlin’s spot kick.

The Exiles then lost captain Aaron Wildig to injury and goalkeeper Nick Townsend had to be alert soon afterwards to beat away a fierce effort from Evan Khouri.

Substitute Courtney Baker-Richardson missed a great chance to win it for the hosts at the death as the points were shared.

The result means Town are now undefeated on the road in their past six league outings and the point leaves them seventh in League Two, just three points off the the automatic promotion spots.