Crawley Town held Newport County to a 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade tonight as both sides scored from the penalty spot.

Reds' Ashley Nathaniel-George converted after Danny McNamara had handled a cross from Bez Lubala in the 35th minute.

Sub Tristan Abrahams equalised for the high-flying Welshmen after Jordan Tunnicliffe was penalised for a challenge on Josh Sheehan.

Reece Grego-Cox went close with a right-foot shot in the closing period but Reds had to withstand some late pressure.

Goalkeeper Glenn Morris made a vital late save and the woodwork also came to Gabriele Cioffi side's rescue in a frantic finale.

Crawley manager Gabriele Cioffi said: "It was a positive result but we come out of these two games a bit bitter because we deserved more, but tonight we are happy."

Newport County AFC (4-1-2-3): King, McNamara, Inniss, O’Brien, Haynes, Bennett, Labadie (C) (Abrahams 73’), Sheehan, Willmott, Amond, Matt (Whitely 45’)

Reds (4-4-2): Morris; Sesay, Tunnicliffe, Dallison (C), Doherty; Nathaniel-George (Camara 76), Ferguson, Allarakhia, Lubala; Grego-Cox (Nadesan 81), Bloomfield. Unused subs: Luyambula, Young, Sendles-White, Van Velzen, Galach.