Newport County 2 : 2 Exeter City - Grecians blow two-goal lead

Posted Monday, November 17, 2014 by PA

A second-half fightback saw Newport come from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw with Exeter at Rodney Parade.

Exeter led 2-0 at half-time but Yan Klukowski and Max Porter both scored in the space of three minutes to help the Exiles climb to ninth, three points off the play-off places.

The visitors took the lead in the 22nd minute when Tom Nichols was brought down in the box by Darren Jones and stepped up himself to slot the penalty past Joe Day.

The home side went close to an equaliser first through Chris Zebroksi, whose shot struck the crossbar, and then Ismail Yakubu, who fired wide from 10 yards.

But Exeter doubled their lead before the break when Matthew Grimes played in Graham Cummins, who then curled a shot into the far corner for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Newport responded after the break with two quick goals to level the scores.

Ryan Jackson's long throw deflected in off Klukowski on 49 minutes and soon after later Porter found the net with a superb 20-yard strike.

Exeter went closest to a winner through Grimes' free-kick which struck the woodwork, but the sides were forced to settle for a point each.