Grimsby Town made significant progress towards League Two safety thanks to a defensive gaffe that handed NEWPORT County AFC their fourth straight loss.
The Exiles lost 1-0 at windy Blundell Park as their poor form continues into the final stretch. With four games remaining, they are still two points short of last season’s total.
Danny Rose took advantage of a misunderstanding between custodian Nick Townsend and striker Offrande Zanzala in the 33rd minute to score the game’s lone goal.
Townsend made some excellent saves to ensure that the Mariners, who are currently five points clear of the relegation zone, secured a nerve-wracking three points despite more clangers.
Sadly, Grimsby outlasted County in the 50/50s, behind Barrow, Colchester, and Crawley in their pursuit of the spoils against Graham Coughlan’s team. County’s offensive woes continued.
They can’t sit back and take it easy; they have three straight games at Rodney Parade, beginning on Tuesday against Accrington, which gives them the chance to cap off a fantastic season despite all the odds.
Scot Bennett, who hobbled off during the first half of the County defeat to Crawley, was cleared to start at the centre of defence, which gave the home team a lift.
Harrison Bright received another opportunity on the right, Adam Lewis made a welcome comeback at left wing-back, and Luke Jephcott started up front.
Young midfielder Jac Norris, who made his debut at the end, and youngster defender Nelson Sanca, who was later used as a substitute for the fifteenth time, were on the bench.
In the third minute, hosts Charles Vernam missed a long-range effort, but County controlled the first few minutes of play to prevent the hosts from getting ahead.
Zanzala’s narrowly missed header from a corner gave the Exiles a lucky break in the 15th minute as the Mariners increased their pressure from set pieces, particularly Doug Tharme’s risky long throws.
Ex-Grimsby midfielder Bryn Morris broke down the right and crossed for Will Evans, who took a lovely touch and laid off to Lewis down the left, as the visitors reacted with a neat play.
The wing-back opted for control over strength, and goalie Jake Eastwood easily collected his shot.
Even though Grimsby was leading, County had the best opportunity in the 25th minute as they broke from one end to the other.
Jephcott held the ball up well and spread play to the left for Lewis, who whipped a cross in for Zanzala but the striker failed to hit the target with his header at the far post.
Grimsby threatened approaching the half hour when Matt Baker beaten down the right by Vernam, whose cross deflected towards goal off Kyle Jameson but Townsend gathered.
That dangerous moment was followed by a scramble in the box from a long throw as the Mariners hunted the opener, and it came in the 33rd minute.
It was a reversal of County’s opener at Colchester with Grimsby profiting from miscommunication.
A long ball was flicked on and Zanzala, scorer thanks to that gift in Essex, failed to hammer the ball clear in favour of waiting for the onrushing Nick Townsend.
Instead, Rose got his toe in to prod in his 15th of the campaign with a smart finish.
After a collision that resulted in yellow cards for County’s Harry Charsley and Grimsby’s Kieran Green, Jameson launched a strong long drive that Eastwood managed to hold.
Bennett mishandled and it might have cost him dearly, but Baker recovered to save his captain when Donovan Wilson closed in on goal. Townsend saved Liam Smith’s shot from the edge of the area in the half’s last opportunity.
Following the restart, Grimsby maintained their winning strategy of controlling possession and territory while applying pressure with set pieces.
Seeing red, Coughlan substituted Omar Bogle and Seb Palmer-Houlden for Jephcott and Zanzala in the 56th minute, making a double substitution.
In the 59th minute, Harrison Bright rolled a dangerous pass into the area, but Bogle was unable to capitalise, giving County their best chance of the half.
After 63 minutes, the Exiles were fortunate to still have a chance after Jameson hesitated in his own box and Rose’s diligent effort prevented a clearance.
Wilson received the ball, and Townsend made a great save with his feet to save his shot as it turned.
That happened twice more as Wilson was unable to deliver the game-ending blow due to defensive blunders by Bennett and Jameson.
The only noteworthy effort from County as the game neared its end was a Morris free-kick over the bar from a distance, but Townsend’s heroics ensured it remained nerve-wracking.
With three minutes remaining, Matty Bondswell was also introduced down the left, and teenager Norris made his senior debut. However, there was no drama as the Exiles’ decline continued.
