Newport County extended their lead at the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier to five points as Ismail Yakubu's goal secured victory against Ebbsfleet.

Yakubu scored his fifth goal of the season with a downward header from an Andy Sandell corner on 30 minutes.

Aaron O'Connor saw an effort cleared off the line during a second half which the visitors controlled.

But Newport's defence held firm to maintain their unbeaten record at Rodney Parade.

The win was Newport's fifth in six games and they are now five points clear of second-placed Forest Green, who lost 2-1 at home against Tamworth.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Newport manager Justin Edinburgh told BBC Radio Wales:

"I was fully aware how of tough this game would be. I think you've got to give praise to the opposition - they're fighting for their lives.

"It was tough. We had to grind it out and there's going to be some more of those throughout the season.

"With results going in our favour it would have been disappointed if we hadn't taken the opportunity, especially being at home."

Ebbsfleet United manager Liam Daish told BBC Radio Kent:

"We're obviously struggling at the bottom and Newport are flying, but anybody who came here would have seen there wasn't that big a gap.

"We had enough possession and chances and we haven't converted them into goals, and that's cost us.

"We dominated against a top-of-the-table side but we've got to get that cutting edge. You've got to turn possession into goals.

"In between both boxes it's level but in the box is where it matters."

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6)

Newport County

  • 40 Pidgeley
  • 05 James
  • 06 Yakubu
  • 02 Pipe
  • 04 Porter
  • 08 Minshull
  • 12 Swallow (Charles - 68' )
  • 13 Sandell
  • 14 Thomson (Flynn - 70' )
  • 07 O'Connor
  • 09 Crow (Louis - 27' )

Substitutes

  • 22 Perry
  • 03 Hughes
  • 17 Flynn
  • 10 Louis
  • 11 Charles

Ebbsfleet United

  • 01 Edwards
  • 04 Ada
  • 06 Lorraine
  • 02 Stone
  • 08 Marwa (Barrett - 46' )
  • 11 Phipp (Marum - 57' )
  • 14 Howe
  • 16 Bellamy
  • 22 Soares
  • 09 Elder (Walsh - 67' )
  • 10 Ashikodi

Substitutes

  • 12 Menz
  • 15 Barrett
  • 17 Greenhalgh
  • 05 Walsh
  • 07 Marum
Ref: Peter Banks
Att: 2,453

Match Stats

Shots

8 12

On target

5 5

Corners

5 8

Fouls

9 5

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:11 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +2:47

Inswinging corner taken by Ryan Charles from the right by-line.

90:00 +1:47

Moses Ashikodi takes a shot. Lenny Pidgeley makes a save.

90:00 +1:21

The referee blows for offside against Aaron O'Connor. Preston Edwards takes the indirect free kick.

87:02

Tony James challenges Phil Walsh unfairly and gives away a free kick. Patrick Ada takes the direct free kick.

86:06

Corner taken by Michael Flynn.

83:27

Louie Soares takes a shot. Louie Soares takes the inswinging corner, Lee Minshull manages to make a clearance.

82:06

Liam Bellamy concedes a free kick for a foul on Jefferson Louis. Andy Sandell takes the direct free kick.

81:27

Craig Stone delivers the ball, save by Lenny Pidgeley.

79:21

Shot from 18 yards by Ryan Charles. Save by Preston Edwards. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Michael Flynn, save made by Preston Edwards.

79:21

Shot from 18 yards from Ryan Charles. Save by Preston Edwards. Michael Flynn takes the inswinging corner, save made by Preston Edwards.

75:45

Unfair challenge on Patrick Ada by Jefferson Louis results in a free kick. Preston Edwards takes the free kick.

75:13

Max Porter crosses the ball.

73:25

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Louie Soares, Moses Ashikodi has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.

72:07

Header by Phil Walsh from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

69:44 Substitution

Substitution Jake Thomson goes off and Michael Flynn comes on.

69:29

Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Neil Barrett misses to the left of the goal.

68:50

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Craig Stone by Jefferson Louis. Direct free kick taken by Craig Stone.

67:34 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Charles is brought on as a substitute for Ben Swallow.

66:32 Substitution

Substitution Phil Walsh joins the action as a substitute, replacing Nathan Elder.

64:21

Jefferson Louis takes a shot.

63:55

Aaron O'Connor takes a shot. Craig Stone makes a clearance.

60:11

Effort from the edge of the penalty area by Ben Swallow goes wide of the left-hand post. Corner from the left by-line taken by Jake Thomson, Joe Howe manages to make a clearance.

60:11

Ben Swallow produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the target. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Joe Howe from the left by-line, clearance made by Lenny Pidgeley.

59:37

The offside flag is raised against Jefferson Louis. Craig Stone restarts play with the free kick.

58:39

Paul Lorraine fouled by Lee Minshull, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Paul Lorraine, Tony James makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Louie Soares, Lee Minshull manages to make a clearance.

56:10 Substitution

Substitution Liam Enver-Marum on for Tom Phipp.

56:10

Free kick awarded for a foul by Joe Howe on Ben Swallow. Andy Sandell takes the free kick.

55:45

Aaron O'Connor takes a shot. Patrick Ada gets a block in.

55:16

The official flags Nathan Elder offside. Lenny Pidgeley takes the indirect free kick.

52:03

Louie Soares takes a shot. Lenny Pidgeley makes a save. Corner from the right by-line taken by Louie Soares, clearance made by David Pipe. Patrick Ada takes a shot. Blocked by Andy Sandell. Tom Phipp takes a shot. Corner taken right-footed by Louie Soares, Patrick Ada takes a shot. Save by Lenny Pidgeley.

49:32

Aaron O'Connor is caught offside. Preston Edwards takes the indirect free kick.

47:19

The offside flag is raised against Lee Minshull. Free kick taken by Preston Edwards.

45:34

The referee blows for offside. Lenny Pidgeley takes the direct free kick.

45:01

The match restarts for the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Ram Marwa leaves the field to be replaced by Neil Barrett.

45:00 +3:07 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.

45:00 +2:53

Jefferson Louis sends in a cross, save by Preston Edwards.

45:00 +1:22

Andy Sandell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nathan Elder. Louie Soares sends in a cross, Nathan Elder takes a shot. Lenny Pidgeley makes a save.

43:47

Foul by Jake Thomson on Tom Phipp, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Louie Soares.

38:57

The assistant referee signals for offside against Louie Soares. Lenny Pidgeley takes the free kick.

37:18

Joe Howe fouled by Jefferson Louis, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Patrick Ada.

29:59

The referee blows for offside against Nathan Elder. Lenny Pidgeley restarts play with the free kick.

29:06

Assist by Andy Sandell.

29:06 Goal scored

Goal - Ismail Yakubu - Newport Co 1 - 0 Ebbsfleet Ismail Yakubu grabs a headed goal from close range. Newport County 1-0 Ebbsfleet United.

28:34

The ball is delivered by Lee Minshull, clearance by Tom Phipp. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Sandell from the right by-line,

26:12 Substitution

Substitution (Newport County) makes a substitution, with Jefferson Louis coming on for Danny Crow.

25:57

Ben Swallow takes a shot. Preston Edwards makes a save.

20:31

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Patrick Ada by Jake Thomson. Louie Soares takes the direct free kick.

19:59

Ben Swallow takes a shot. Save by Preston Edwards.

19:12

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Louie Soares from the left by-line, Paul Lorraine gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lenny Pidgeley. Lenny Pidgeley restarts play with the free kick.

16:49

Danny Crow is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Preston Edwards.

13:01

Foul by Ram Marwa on Max Porter, free kick awarded. Andy Sandell crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance made by Joe Howe.

12:11

Danny Crow gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ram Marwa. Ram Marwa restarts play with the free kick.

8:54

Effort from the edge of the box by Tom Phipp goes wide of the right-hand upright. Corner from the left by-line taken by Louie Soares, Max Porter manages to make a clearance. Effort on goal by Tom Phipp from just inside the area clears the bar.

5:54

Louie Soares challenges Lee Minshull unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lee Minshull takes the direct free kick.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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