Match ends, Stevenage 2, Newport County 1.
StevenageStevenage2NewportNewport County1
Stevenage moved above League Two play-off rivals Newport County with victory at the Lamex Stadium.
Charlie Lee's powerful header from Simon Walton's corner put Stevenage ahead just before the half hour mark.
Bira Dembele headed home Ben Kennedy's free-kick at the far post to extend the home side's lead.
Adam Chapman scored late on but it was a consolation goal for Newport, who had Chris Zebroski sent off for a second yellow card.
Newport have dropped out of the play-off places while Stevenage are eighth and level on points with seventh placed Plymouth Argyle.
Stevenage manager Graham Westley told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"It was a war of attrition, it was about being intelligent about how you play your game, about earning your set-pieces and about playing in the right areas.
"We got ourselves into a good position with a well-executed corner and a well-executed free-kick.
"I don't think we were at our best, but if you going to be successful, you're going to have to win games when you're not at your best.
"We've seen a red card from a horrible-looking tackle that you don't want to see on a football pitch."
Newport County manager Jimmy Dack told BBC Radio Wales:
"We had more possession and had more shots on goal but it wasn't our day. We didn't take our chances again.
"It's a really tough place to come and play and in the second half we took the game to them. We had a go and a final push but it wasn't to be."
Line-ups
Stevenage
Formation 4-4-2
- 16Day
- 25Henry
- 19WellsBooked at 90mins
- 3Dembele
- 23Okimo
- 11Pett
- 18ParrettSubstituted forAndradeat 82'minutes
- 8Walton
- 22Lee
- 33KennedySubstituted forBondat 90+4'minutes
- 20BeardsleySubstituted forKeaneat 59'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Beasant
- 5Ashton
- 6Bond
- 24Johnson
- 32Conlon
- 36Andrade
- 37Keane
Newport
Formation 4-4-2
- 30Day
- 2Jackson
- 6YakubuSubstituted forFeelyat 53'minutesBooked at 71mins
- 5Jones
- 27Tutonda
- 7Chapman
- 12WillmottBooked at 84mins
- 4PorterSubstituted forMinshullat 77'minutes
- 33Byrne
- 20Storey
- 18KlukowskiSubstituted forZebroskiat 55'minutesBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 3Feely
- 8Minshull
- 11Zebroski
- 13Sandell
- 14Jeffers
- 24Parker
- 25Stephens
- Referee:
- Graham Salisbury
- Attendance:
- 2,941
Match Stats
Home TeamStevenageAway TeamNewport
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home6
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Stevenage 2, Newport County 1.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Chris Zebroski (Newport County).
Post update
Bira Dembélé (Stevenage) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Chris Zebroski (Newport County).
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. Andy Bond replaces Ben Kennedy.
Post update
(Stevenage) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Lee Minshull (Newport County).
Post update
Attempt saved. Mark Byrne (Newport County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Booking
Dean Wells (Stevenage) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Chris Zebroski (Newport County) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Corner, Newport County. Conceded by Tom Pett.
Goal!
Goal! Stevenage 2, Newport County 1. Adam Chapman (Newport County) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Robbie Willmott with a cross.
Post update
Attempt missed. Kevin Feely (Newport County) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Newport County. Conceded by Chris Day.
Post update
Attempt saved. Mark Byrne (Newport County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner.
Booking
Robbie Willmott (Newport County) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Keith Keane (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Lee Minshull (Newport County).
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. Bruno Andrade replaces Dean Parrett.
