Newport County 2 - 2 Dagenham and Redbridge: Birthday boy Conor Wilkinson helps Newport claim point against Dagenham

Posted Sunday, January 24, 2016 by PA

Newport staged a superb late fightback to draw 2-2 at home to Dagenham in Sky Bet League Two.

Christian Doidge and Joe Worrall had put the visitors two goals ahead inside the opening six minutes but strikes from debutants John Christophe Ayina and Conor Wilkinson in the final seven minutes earned the hosts a point in a thrilling affair.

The visitors made the perfect start and found themselves in front when they countered and Oliver Muldoon's lofted ball was finished coolly on the half volley by Doidge.

Five minutes later they doubled their lead as Ashley Hemmings' deep corner was nodded in by centre-half Worrall as he climbed the highest in the area.

After the break, Newport rallied to find a way back into the game. Danny Holmes and captain Mark Byrne went close but were denied by superb saves from Daggers goalkeeper Mark Cousins.

But County pulled one back in the 83rd minute from Ayina's deflected effort to set up a tense finish.

Wilkinson, on his 21st birthday, then tapped home the equaliser after Cousins could only parry Alex Rodman's fizzing shot.