NEWPORT County AFC lost 2-0 at the Racecourse to Ben Tozer and his long-throw missiles, paying a heavy price for not taking a chance in windy Wrexham.
In their first meeting since their 2018 FA Cup match, the north prevailed, increasing their chances of promotion from League Two and guaranteeing that the Exiles would not be able to pull away from the relegation struggle.
Despite having a flurry of chances halfway through the half, County was disappointed that it was goalless at the break. Home goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo made some excellent saves to deny Will Evans and Seb Palmer-Houlden.
The game’s pattern was altered by Wrexham’s strong tailwind in the second half, which ultimately resulted in James Jones’ close-range opening in the 64th minute.
That followed former Exile Tozer’s throw into the area, which he then duplicated in the 87th minute to set up Elliot Lee’s game-winning header.
There were echoes of the Tranmere match played at the end of the month, when windy circumstances caused chaos and the Exiles lost by a halftime lead.
With a Boxing Day match against Forest Green—more of a derby in terms of distance—they do not have much time to nurse their wounds. Winning or maintaining the lead over the group of struggling players is crucial.
Top scorer Evans and midfielder Harry Charsley were brought back by Graham Coughlan, but youthful loanees Lewis Payne and Matt Baker were left behind.
With Shane McLoughlin back on the right, Evens began the game in the left wing-back position that he frequently played in the previous campaign.
Between captain Ryan Delaney and a seasoned back three, Scot Bennett made a comeback.
It was a cagey and scrappy opening – understandable in windy conditions – and the first incident of note was a booking for Aaron Wildig in the ninth minute for stopping a counter-attack.
County would have been happy to have quietened down the expectant crowd but Wrexham had their first opening in the 20th minute when Jacob Mendy crossed from the right but Sam Dalby missed his header.
That was swiftly followed by Paul Mullin breaking through only for Delaney to defend strongly to clear the danger.
Yet it was the Exiles then had a burst of chances that all ended in frustration.
Fit-again Okonkwo, playing with a face mask, reacted well to deny Evans after he was played in down the left by Omar Bogle in the 25th minute, then Bogle had a shot blocked from a corner.
Palmer-Houlden had a header superbly tipped onto the top of the bar by Okonkwo after a whipped cross from the left and then Delaney diverted a Charsley shot agonisingly wide.
It was goalless at the break and the fear was that County would be left to rue those missed/saved opportunities and that Wrexham would improve.
That proved to be the case, with the hosts aided by conditions that ensured Exiles clearances failed to make big distance.
Wrexham went close in the 53rd minute when former County defender Tozer launched a long throw that Nick Townsend attempted to punch under pressure. The ‘keeper got a glancing touch but Bennett was on hand to clear off the line.
Suddenly it was all red pressure in front of the Kop temporary stand and the hosts were inches away from the lead when Lee smashed a wind-assisted drive against County’s right post, with the ball bouncing out, hitting Townsend and going out for a corner that was cleared.
Dalby then struck just wide on the turn before fluffing his lines from a scramble that somehow stayed out.
It was 0-0 but the opener came just past the hour when Tozer launched a long throw and Jones smashed the loose ball past Townsend.
Coughlan responded immediately by bringing on Matt Baker for Charsley, deploying the Wales Under-21s defender in midfield.
County stopped the flow and had a half-chance when Evans whipped in a cross but Aaron Wildig couldn’t quite get a touch on his header.
Evans was pushed up front after 79 minutes after Lewis Payne replaced Palmer-Houlden but there was to be no nervy finale.
County needlessly conceded a throw, Tozer launched it into the box and Lee glanced in a header.
Townsend saved superbly to deny Mullin a third as 90 minute approached but Wrexham had already secured Welsh bragging rights until January 20 at Rodney Parade.
