JOB DONE! Newport County AFC ensured they will be a Football League club next season with a precious point at Luton Town courtesy of substitute Souleymane Coulibaly’s late header.

County would have been safe anyway with York City losing at Accrington Stanley but it was a point that they visitors deserved for another spirited showing.

And manager Warren Feeney will be delighted that his team have secured safety through their own efforts.

Feeney welcomed back Alex Rodman from injury in place of Yan Klukowski but otherwise named an unchanged team after an encouraging display in Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with Oxford United – a result that halted a run of six straight defeats.

And the Exiles picked up where they left off in midweek with a dominant display in the first half at Kenilworth Road.

With Medy Elito, fresh from scoring his first goal against the U’s, Rodman and captain Mark Byrne pulling the strings in midfield the visitors forced a series of free-kicks and corners.

Scott Barrow, who also stood out on the left of midfield, whacked one set-piece into the wall but went much closer with the rebound as his shot whizzed just past the post via the outstretched boot of Lenell John-Lewis.

Elito crossed for Andrew Hughes, making his 150th appearance for the club, but his header was comfortably wide of the mark.

In search of another £100 bonus from his manager, Elito surged forward and hit a fierce drive towards the bottom corner but Elliot Justham was equal to it.

The Hatters goalkeeper also gathered easily enough as John-Lewis headed Barrow’s corner goalwards shortly afterwards.

And John-Lewis was then denied by a superb saving tackle from Luton skipper Alan Sheehan after a defence-splitting ball from Rodman.

The hosts were subdued for the first 45 minutes but they did have two big chances in first half stoppage time.

Former County loan star Joe Pigott missed an open goal with a header over the top after Joe Day appeared to lose his footing.

But the Exiles stopper had to be at his best to keep out a rasping shot from Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu after the ex-West Ham youngster got the better of Danny Holmes in the box.

Those late chances were a sign of things to come in the second half as Nathan Jones’ men stepped up a gear.

Pigott shot just wide moments after the restart after more good work from Ruddock and then clipped the bar with another effort from the edge of the area.

Scott Boden headed over at the other end but it was mostly one-way traffic as the game wore on.

Day was again called upon to make another impressive save after some clever footwork from dangerous substitute Cameron McGeehan and soon afterwards Ruddock skewed a shot wide after a scramble in the box.

Feeney threw on Dean Morgan in place of John-Lewis and the home fans mercilessly booed their former player.

He nearly made them pay 10 minutes from time when put through one-on-one with Justham but the striker fired wide under pressure.

Luton looked to have won it when substitute Jack Marriott headed home at the near post on 81 minutes but Coulibaly responded with a header of his own two minutes from time to finish the job.

County: Day, Holmes, Jones, Hughes, Davies, Rodman, Byrne, Elito, Barrow (O’Sullivan, 86), Boden (Coulibaly, 82), John-Lewis (Morgan, 64)

Subs not used: Green, Partridge, Parselle, Owen-Evans

Referee: Fred Graham

Attendance: 7,606 (140 County)

Argus star man: Rodman