Ten-man York City held on for a point after an early promise of securing their first away win of the season.
Ollie Pearce gave got the visitors off to a dream start at Newport County on Saturday, slotting home for City after just four minutes.
But being reduced to ten men was the last thing head coach Scott Lindsey would have wanted against a Newport side yet to lose at home this season.
Jovan Malcolm was shown red for an alleged elbow on the defender in the 24th minute – a decision contested by Lindsey in his post-match remarks.
After the sending off, York adopted a more defensive approach, but their defence was finally breached early in the second half through a header from Kion Etete.
Second-half saves from Alfie McNally prevented County from finding a winner.
York have now played five away games and are still yet to find a league win on the road.
Given the red card, City will be satisfied with the result against a team unbeaten in their last seven League Two matches.
York took their early lead when Alex Hunt found space in the Newport half before playing a defence splitting pass to Ollie Pearce, who calmly slotted home for his fifth league goal of the season.
Ollie Banks missed an opportunity to double City’s lead before Jovan Malcolm was sent off for the off-the-ball incident involving Newport’s Lee Jenkins.
Yet York continued to threaten, with Joe Grey and Hunt both going close before County’s Shaquille Gwengwe headed against the crossbar just before the break.
Newport equalised in the 54th minute when substitute Kion Etete headed home Tanatswa Nyakuhwa’s cross with his first touch of the ball.
The hosts pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but the Minstermen held firm to secure a hard fought point in a 1-1 draw.
The fans’ verdict
York City supporter Jack felt the dismissal had a major impact on the visitors’ afternoon, saying: “It’s a good point on the road. However, the red card had a significant impact on the game and us going forward.”
Another supporter, Harry, praised the Minstermen’s resilience but felt there was still room for improvement, adding: “We scored from a mistake and had chances to extend the advantage. But the red card ruined the momentum and completely changed the game afterwards.”
The draw leaves York still searching for their first league away win of the season after five attempts, although a point against a side unbeaten at home will offer some encouragement following Malcolm’s dismissal.
The Minstermen remain fourth in League Two, five points off the automatic promotion places, while Newport continue to close in on the play-off places.