Andy Little helped Crawley secure a 1-1 premier division draw at Newport County.

Little kept out Scott Walker's kick with his legs after he had brought down Martin Paul in the 29th minute when a back header fell short and was booked.

Reds manager Billy Smith said: "It was a poor game on what is traditionally not a happy hunting ground for us.

"I don't even think it was a penalty as the challenge seemed to be well outside the box to me."

Ian Payne and Keith Sharman went close to opening the scoring early on but it was Newport who struck first, ending Crawley's run of four straight clean sheets.

In the 17th minute, Darren Ryan got around the back of the Crawley defence and chipped a cross for teenager Alan Stevenson to head home from close range.

Crawley levelled on the stroke of half-time as Danny Carroll played Stevens in to volley beyond goalkeeper Pat Mountain via a deflection off Darren Robison.

Stevenson nearly put Newport ahead again after the break but he fired into the side-netting as the game became patchy and niggly.

Newport had a couple of late chances to sneak the win but Reds defended stoutly.

Eastbourne Borough produced a subdued display as they lost 2-1 away to relegation-threatened at Rothwell in the eastern division.

Rothwell defender Craig McIlwain blocked shots from John Westcott and Andrew Ducille after ten minutes. But the highlight of the opening period was a superb one-handed save from Borough goalkeeper Paul Stark who touched an Ossie Mintus effort over the bar.

A good Borough move in the 22nd minute saw the ball played from left to right but Mark Goodwin was unable to reach a lowAndy Walker into the six-yard box. Rothwell took a controversial lead after 53 minutes.

Rothwell's Dean Foley fired over the bar but referee Kirkup adjudged the ball had come off a Borough defender and awarded a corner. As the ball floated in it was only half-cleared. Stark did well to save Chris Smith's shot but the ball fell to Ryan Nash who made no mistake from close range.

Thirteen minutes later it was 2-0 as Smith brushed aside half- hearted Borough challenges before driving in to the far corner of the net.

Borough pulled one back on 74 minutes when David Adams headed home.