GRAHAM Westley paid tribute to the 841 Newport County AFC fans who roared their side on to a precious point at fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town.

County fell behind to Kyle Wootton’s strike on 62 minutes that put the hosts ahead against the run of play.

But substitute Jaanai Gordon scored a vital equaliser in the third minute of time added on before celebrating with the travelling supporters behind Scott Brown’s goal.

“The fans were astonishing; you’d never dream that we are where we are in the league,” said Exiles boss Westley.

“They know that the support that they give will generate a performance from the players and that last five or 10 minutes would we have been like that without the fans in their number and in that voice? Who knows but they played their part, that’s for sure.

“I thought we were the better side through the 90 minutes,” he added.

“We had a lot more shots on goal, more corners, more possession and I thought we deserved probably to edge the game.

“To have lost it I think would have been a travesty and it was a hard-earned point that showed that the side has developed a good character.

“Character is everything in football and I think the players were excellent in showing character right the way through to the death.

“At 1-0 down in the 93rd minute I’d have taken a point and I did – I slung [Darren] Jones up front to chase the game and put him straight back into the back three when we got the equaliser.”

Westley continued: “It’s important not to get beaten away from home and to win your home games.

“I like winning away and at home but sometimes you’ve got to allow discretion to be the better part of valour and I think the way we finished the game and closed it off at 1-1 said that we were happy with the point.

“The players are working very hard and we’re four unbeaten now; long may that continue.”