Monday, August 26, 2002

JON Holloway capped a pulsating match at St George's Lane with a sensational winner to bring unbeaten Newport County crashing down to earth.

The sight of the bare-chested full back, twirling his shirt in celebration, usually signals good news for Worcester City and so it was last night at St George's Lane.

With just four minutes left the defender, who had earlier won a penalty missed by Mark Owen, brought this epic battle to a close in City's favour with a well-placed header for a 2-1 win.

Displaying nerve and grit, backed by the brilliant Danny McDonnell, John Barton's side clawed their way back into a match that in the first 45 minutes looked to be slipping beyond their grasp.

Newport, who had won all three of their Dr Martens Premier Division games, sprinted out of the blocks, cheered on by a noisy contingent of travelling Exiles, and looked menacing and dangerous.

Crucial

After just three minutes McDonnell made the first of three crucial saves when he sprang to his left to make a superb low stop from Steven Cowe.

A minute later Pat Lyons leapt high to head off the line as Tim Harris's side bombarded City's defence with McDonnell suffering a painful blow as he rushed out to deny Mark Dickeson.

Mark Owen struck a thumping drive in City's only significant threat in the early exchanges but that aside all the decisive action was happening in the City half.

The breakthrough finally came through a Mark Shail own goal in the 33rd minute when under pressure from Cowe he sent the ball looping 30 yards over McDonnell into the net.

City could have crumbled but on the stroke of half-time Carl Heeley handed City a lifeline with a brilliantly placed volley after a Pat Mountain punch from David Foy's corner fell to his feet.

Buoyed by the goal City emerged with a steely purpose from the half-time break and set about stamping their authority on the game.

If the first 45 minutes belonged to Newport, then the second 45 were all City as they went in search of a winner.

Michael Blackwood and Darren Middleton fired in some decent crosses that just eluded Owen but nothing quite ran for City at that stage.

But County remained a threat and in the 64th minute another crucial save from McDonnell thwarted Garry Shephard who outpaced Shail.

Foy blasted over on 68 minutes after more good work from Blackwood before Holloway finally earned Worcester the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. But Owen's effort on 75 minutes struck the post and rebounded to safety.

Undeterred City pressed on and eventually grabbed the winner when Blackwood's cross saw Mountain come under pressure, allowing the ball to pop up for Holloway to head home the winner and seal a tremendous comeback by the home side.

Worcester: McDonnell 9, Holloway 8, Carty 7, Heeley 8, Shail 7, Snape 7, Foy 7, Lyons 8, Owen 7, Middleton 7, Blackwood 7. Subs not used: Davies, Willetts, Charlton, Jones, Wyatt.

STAR MAN: Danny McDonnell

Attendance: 1,549.