Christian Jolley scored twice as Newport County returned to the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier table with a first win in three matches.

Jolley made the breakthrough moments before the break with a controlled side-footed shot from outside the box.

Michael Smith doubled the lead when a clearance off the Gateshead goal-line from a corner fell into his path.

Jolley's second two minutes later wrapped up the victory before Yemi Odubade clawed one back for Gateshead.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Newport manager Justin Edinburgh told BBC Radio Wales: "I'm delighted with the result but more the performance really. We got back to basics of working hard and got our rewards for that.

"There's a lot been said off the pitch, but we do our talking on the pitch. I think we're top of the league aren't we? Say no more!

"It's brilliant to be on top of the league. We don't purposely go on a bad run, you stick together and remain positive and get behind your team.

"I just think people find it hard to embrace and enjoy this. We're top. I don't see enough smiles on people's faces around here. I just find it really, really amazing.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (5)

Newport County

  • 01 Julian
  • 05 James
  • 06 Yakubu
  • 02 Pipe
  • 04 Porter
  • 13 Sandell
  • 16 Evans Booked (Minshull - 70' )
  • 17 Flynn
  • 23 Jolley
  • 07 O'Connor (Conor Washington - 89' )
  • 20 Smith

Substitutes

  • 40 Pidgeley
  • 21 Anthony
  • 08 Minshull
  • 12 Swallow
  • 25 Conor Washington

Gateshead

  • 01 Bartlett
  • 03 Boyle
  • 05 Curtis
  • 06 Clark
  • 17 Wilson (Magney - 85' )
  • 07 Gillies
  • 08 Turnbull (Chandler - 59' )
  • 18 Donaldson
  • 32 Bullock
  • 09 Hatch Booked
  • 12 Fisher (Odubade - 59' )

Substitutes

  • 19 Nixon
  • 02 Magney
  • 04 Chandler
  • 11 Cummins
  • 10 Odubade
Ref: Martin
Att: 1,473

Match Stats

Shots

14 9

On target

9 5

Corners

3 2

Fouls

16 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:59 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +3:40

David Pipe concedes a free kick for a foul on Josh Gillies. Free kick taken by Patrick Boyle.

90:00 +0:59

Michael Flynn challenges Liam Hatch unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jamie Chandler takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:32

Jamie Chandler challenges Andy Sandell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Andy Sandell from left wing, clearance made by Patrick Boyle.

88:07 Substitution

Substitution (Newport County) makes a substitution, with Conor Washington coming on for Aaron O'Connor.

86:09

Effort on goal by Aaron O'Connor from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.

85:16

Christian Jolley concedes a free kick for a foul on James Curtis. Direct free kick taken by Patrick Boyle.

84:40 Substitution

Substitution Glenn Wilson goes off and Carl Magnay comes on.

83:48

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie Chandler on Christian Jolley. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Andy Sandell from right channel, James Curtis makes a clearance.

80:07

Ismail Yakubu is penalised for a handball. Glenn Wilson takes the direct free kick.

80:07

Ismail Yakubu is adjudged to have handled the ball. Glenn Wilson takes the direct free kick.

78:34

Free kick awarded for a foul by David Pipe on Ryan Donaldson. Free kick taken by Jamie Chandler.

78:18

Josh Gillies takes a shot. Christian Jolley makes a clearance.

77:23

Glenn Wilson fouled by Tony James, the ref awards a free kick. Glenn Wilson restarts play with the free kick.

76:42

Strike on goal comes in from Andy Sandell from the free kick, Adam Bartlett makes a save.

76:42 Booking

Booking Caution for Liam Hatch.

76:27

Free kick awarded for a foul by Liam Hatch on Max Porter.

75:50

Lee Bullock is caught offside. Andy Sandell restarts play with the free kick.

75:10

Ryan Donaldson has an effort at goal. Save by Alan Julian.

74:48

Shot from 20 yards from Andy Sandell. Adam Bartlett makes a save.

72:07

Tony James concedes a free kick for a foul on Liam Hatch. Josh Gillies takes the direct free kick.

71:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Max Porter on Josh Gillies. Free kick taken by Jamie Chandler.

69:51 Substitution

Substitution Lee Minshull joins the action as a substitute, replacing Lee Evans.

69:02

The assist for the goal came from Lee Bullock.

69:02 Goal scored

Goal - Yemi Odubade - Newport Co 3 - 1 Gateshead Yemi Odubade gets on the score sheet with a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Newport County 3-1 Gateshead.

67:43

The assistant referee flags for offside against Yemi Odubade. Alan Julian takes the direct free kick.

63:25

Michael Flynn is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Ben Clark.

62:45

The offside flag is raised against Josh Gillies. Free kick taken by Alan Julian.

62:17

The offside flag is raised against Aaron O'Connor. Free kick taken by Ben Clark.

61:02

David Pipe fouled by Lee Bullock, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Alan Julian.

59:27

Corner from right by-line taken by Andy Sandell.

58:44 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Fisher goes off and Yemi Odubade comes on.

58:25 Substitution

Substitution Jamie Chandler replaces Phil Turnbull.

57:46

Corner taken by Patrick Boyle from the right by-line, clearance made by Ismail Yakubu.

55:44 Goal scored

Goal - Christian Jolley - Newport Co 3 - 0 Gateshead Christian Jolley grabs a goal from close range to the top right corner of the goal. Newport County 3-0 Gateshead.

52:39 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Smith - Newport Co 2 - 0 Gateshead Michael Smith finds the net with a goal from close in to the top right corner of the goal. Newport County 2-0 Gateshead.

52:10

Corner from the right by-line taken by Andy Sandell,

50:21

Phil Turnbull challenges Michael Smith unfairly and gives away a free kick. Andy Sandell takes the free kick, Aaron O'Connor takes a shot. Save made by Adam Bartlett.

48:30

Liam Hatch concedes a free kick for a foul on Tony James. Alan Julian takes the free kick.

47:36

Unfair challenge on Max Porter by Liam Hatch results in a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Andy Sandell from the free kick, Adam Bartlett makes a save.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:00 +2:20 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

45:00 +1:42

Unfair challenge on Glenn Wilson by David Pipe results in a free kick. Shot on goal comes in from Patrick Boyle from the free kick, clearance made by Tony James.

45:00 +1:28

Foul by Christian Jolley on Nathan Fisher, free kick awarded. Nathan Fisher restarts play with the free kick.

45:00 +0:31

The referee gives a free kick against Liam Hatch for handball. Alan Julian takes the free kick.

43:32

Direct free kick taken by Phil Turnbull, Glenn Wilson takes a shot. Ismail Yakubu makes a clearance. Josh Gillies is caught offside. Direct free kick taken by Alan Julian. Michael Smith takes a shot. Adam Bartlett makes a save.

43:15

Lee Evans concedes a free kick for a foul on Phil Turnbull.

43:32

Phil Turnbull restarts play with the free kick, Glenn Wilson takes a shot. Clearance made by Ismail Yakubu. Josh Gillies is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Alan Julian. Michael Smith takes a shot. Save made by Adam Bartlett.

43:32 Booking

Booking Lee Evans is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

43:15

Free kick awarded for a foul by Lee Evans on Phil Turnbull.

42:59

Josh Gillies produces a cross, Ismail Yakubu makes a clearance.

42:22

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Liam Hatch by Ismail Yakubu. Free kick taken by Phil Turnbull.

40:28

Michael Smith produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.

39:49

Handball by David Pipe. Direct free kick taken by Patrick Boyle.

38:59

Liam Hatch produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.

38:36

Liam Hatch takes a shot. Ismail Yakubu manages to make a clearance.

37:35

The assist for the goal came from Aaron O'Connor.

37:35 Goal scored

Goal - Christian Jolley - Newport Co 1 - 0 Gateshead A goal is scored by Christian Jolley from just inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Newport County 1-0 Gateshead.

36:20

Nathan Fisher fouled by Max Porter, the ref awards a free kick. Patrick Boyle takes the direct free kick.

35:15

The official flags Josh Gillies offside. Alan Julian restarts play with the free kick.

34:53

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Josh Gillies.

33:52

Christian Jolley concedes a free kick for a foul on Patrick Boyle. Shot comes in from Josh Gillies from the free kick, save made by Adam Bartlett.

29:26

Liam Hatch challenges Tony James unfairly and gives away a free kick. Alan Julian takes the free kick.

27:29

Aaron O'Connor has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

26:10

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Glenn Wilson.

24:50

Unfair challenge on Josh Gillies by Andy Sandell results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Glenn Wilson.

24:31

Aaron O'Connor takes a shot. Save by Adam Bartlett.

21:24

The referee blows for offside. Adam Bartlett takes the direct free kick.

20:25

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Andy Sandell, Patrick Boyle manages to make a clearance.

20:25

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Sandell from the right by-line, Patrick Boyle makes a clearance.

19:24

Patrick Boyle is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Andy Sandell, clearance by Ben Clark.

14:22

Andy Sandell has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses left.

11:12

Ryan Donaldson has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target.

6:33

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Curtis by Michael Smith. Direct free kick taken by Adam Bartlett.

6:10

Free kick awarded for a foul by Josh Gillies on Lee Evans. Tony James restarts play with the free kick.

4:43

David Pipe challenges Ryan Donaldson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Adam Bartlett restarts play with the free kick.

4:05

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ismail Yakubu by Nathan Fisher. Direct free kick taken by Ismail Yakubu.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

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