GOALS from Padraig Amond and Ben Tozer were enough to earn Newport County AFC three points against 10-man Swindon Town as Michael Flynn’s men recorded their first victory at Rodney Parade since January 19.

County raced out of the blocks and deservedly led 2-0 at the break as Amond’s sublime volley and Tozer’s glancing header put them in charge against the play-off hopefuls.

Substitute Paul Mullin pulled one back for Phil Brown’s men but former Cardiff City youngster Rollin Menayese, who went to school in Newport, was then shown a second yellow card and County held on to claim a morale-boosting victory.

Scot Bennett earned a recall as Flynn reverted to three at the back and striker Frank Nouble made way.

That meant Amond was supported by Aaron Collins and Robbie Willmott in attack, while Tozer, Matty Dolan and wing-backs David Pipe and Dan Butler all got forward well as County started on the front foot.

Tozer went close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute but his 25-yard effort climbed just over Stuart Moore’s bar.

And the Exiles only had to wait another three minutes to break the deadlock.

Pipe can claim an assist after pumping the ball into the box but the rest was all down to Amond.

The Irishman demonstrated fantastic technique and ingenuity as he brought the ball under control before lofting it over Moore and into the net.

It was Amond’s first goal since January and his confidence was clear to see when he attempted an overhead kick soon afterwards.

That effort was blocked and Willmott’s volley on the rebound was also stopped at source but the hosts were well on top and it was no surprise when they doubled their advantage on 35 minutes.

Ben White picked out Tozer near the penalty spot and the midfielder guided the ball into the bottom corner with a glancing header.

It was the 28-year-old’s second goal of the season against his former club after his winner at the County Ground in November and it put the Exiles in control.

They could even have had more before the break as Dolan fired over from distance and Bennett headed straight at Moore from Willmott’s free-kick.

A Dolan corner was also headed over the top by Willmott as County dominated proceedings.

Swindon created little at the other end with Kaiyne Woolery wasting their best chance by blazing over after a mix-up between Bennett and Mickey Demetriou.

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But White was forced into an excellent block to deny Scott Twine a minute before the interval.

That was a warning that Flynn’s men would not have everything their own way and, after making two half-time changes, the Robins made more of a game of it in the second half.

Dolan McDermott almost made an instant impact as he crashed a volley onto the bar and his cross was diverted in by Mullin, another substitute, to halve the deficit on 62 minutes.

Menayese’s red card just four minutes later disrupted the visitors’ momentum a little but the game remained on a knife-edge.

Ollie Banks fired over from close range at the far post and at the other end Demetriou saw a header clawed away by Moore before the goalkeeper stopped Nouble’s effort with his legs.

Moore came up for a corner in stoppage time and Tozer hit the post with a 50-yard effort but two goals were enough to send the home fans home happy.

County: Day; White, Bennett, Demetriou; Pipe (Reid, 82), Dolan, Tozer, Butler; Willmott; Amond, Collins (Nouble, 64)

Subs not used: Bittner, Foulston, Jahraldo-Martin, Sheehan, Touray

Referee: Charles Breakspear

Attendance: 3,911

Argus star man: Amond