NEWPORT County AFC were denied a win to warm Exiles hearts on a perishing afternoon at Rodney Parade after a late defensive slip and a cool finish by their nemesis.

The Exiles led for much of their League Two clash with Morecambe thanks to a poacher’s strike inside a minute by Padraig Amond against his former side.

But the Shrimps struck after 77 minutes when Tyler Forbes slipped and gifted a run-in to sub Kevin Ellison, so often the scourge of Newport.

The outcome was inevitable and despite late pressure County were left to reflect on a missed opportunity, even though the point lifts them level with third-place Exeter courtesy of their home loss to Forest Green.

Boss Michael Flynn said on Friday that there is no such thing as a bogey team yet Morecambe have unquestionably been problematic for the Exiles since their return to League Two.

As such, victory would have been another big tick in an impressive start to the campaign.

Alas, they couldn’t quite earn the three points despite a spirited showing on a challenging afternoon.

They struck early and then had to reshuffle after injuries to defensive duo Scot Bennett, after just 20 minutes and Mark O’Brien, who made it to half-time.

Morecambe posed some problems going forward but County had the better of things and looked likely to earn the spoils with their first clean sheet for six league games, only for Forbes to lose his footing and Ellis to show a cool head on a freezing afternoon.

The Exiles were in front while the supporters’ cups of tea were still warm.

It took some last ditch defending to nip the ball away from Antoine Semenyo but the ball fell to Robbie Willmott on the right and his cross/shot was struck towards goal by Jamille Matt.

Keeper Barry Roche made a smart save but the ball ballooned in the air and striker Padraig Amond was on hand to nod home before 30 seconds had been played.

County were looking lively going forward with Dan Butler having joy down the left and the trio of Amond, Matt and Semenyo stretching the Morecambe defence.

It took a smart save from Roche after seven minutes to keep it at 1-0 when Semenyo rose unmarked in the area but County weren’t having things all their own way at the other end, with visiting forward Vadaine Oliver proving a handful.

He provided the pass from which the visitors really should have levelled after 19 minutes with Rhys Oates played through the middle only to be denied by a fine Joe Day stop, the keeper coming off his line and using his feet.

The Shrimps were causing a few problems – with the loss through injury of Bennett, and subsequent reshuffle, not helping the Exiles – and it took a fine intervention by Mark O’Brien on the penalty to spot to quell a dangerous attack down the threatening right.

County were inches away from extending their lead after 35 minutes when the fit-again Matty Dolan won the right to have a crack from a central free-kick, 30 metres out. He went for the right post but was just off target, much to the relief of the scrambling Roche.

Morecambe were finding a little too much space in midfield for Flynn’s liking but the Exiles finished the half on top with Butler warming the hands of Roche with a sharp shot from the left and then having a penalty appeal correctly waved away after hammering a cross into a hand from close-range.

County were forced into another change at the break when O’Brien, who had been stretching at times during the first half, didn’t come out for the second half.

The Exiles were a little tentative at the back but Day was not tested, although on the hour he was a little worried when Jordan Cranston tried his luck from very far out, the powerful left-footed drive going a yard or so over when most were expecting a cross.

County were a little wasteful from set pieces which led to Dolan taking over from Willmott to whip in a ball that fell to Semenyo, only for his left-footed effort to fly wide.

That lifted the home faithful – who no doubt spotted nemesis Ellison getting ready on the Morecambe bench.

County had a series of corners and were agonisingly close to earning some breathing space only for Tyler Forbes’ drive to be deflected just past the left post.

The Exiles were watching the clock tick down but then they were pegged back after 77 minutes when they got caught three versus three at the back and then a slip by Forbes allowed Ellison to run clear.

It was never in doubt – the veteran coolly slotted past Day before running towards the Rodney Road terrace for a celebration, finding fan club members in short supply.

County pressed to regain their lead but came up short, having to settle for one point rather than three on a frustrating afternoon.

County: J Day, D Pipe, S Bennett (T Forbes 20), M O'Brien (C Pring 45), M Demetriou (captain), D Butler, R Willmott, M Dolan, A Semenyo, J Matt (M Harris 78), P Amond. 
Goals: P Amond
Yellow cards: M O’Brien, J Matt

Morecambe: B Roche, Z Mills, J Varney, S Lavelle, L Conlan, L Mandeville ( A Kenyon 81), A Wildig, J Cranston (K Ellison 70), R Oates (J Oswell 70), A Leitch-Smith, V Oliver.
Goals: K Ellison
Yellow cards: K Ellison

Referee: Ollie Yates
Attendance: 3,206
Argus star man: Dan Butler