Dull draw between Newport and Crawley

Newport and Crawley ended their losing streaks with a drab 0-0 draw at Rodney Parade.

The hosts went into the game having lost their last three Sky Bet League Two fixtures, while the Red Devils had lost their last four.

Newport had the best chances to claim a first win in five league games and close the gap on the play-off places but were wasteful in front of goal.

Padraig Amond had a trio of first-half opportunities to give Newport the lead.

First he looped an effort over the head of Crawley goalkeeper Glenn Morris, but over the crossbar as well.

He then headed straight into the hands of the Red Devils keeper, before firing well over from Jamille Matt’s cutback.

Fraser Franks flashed a header wide after a quality set-piece delivery from Dan Butler on the hour mark and Newport continued their assault on the Crawley goal when Amond somehow failed to convert from Robbie Willmott’s outside-of-the-foot cross.

Crawley appealed for a late penalty when Dominic Poleon tripped over Mark O’Brien’s leg, but referee Antony Coggins waved away their protests before ending the turgid encounter.