Match ends, Cheltenham Town 1, Newport County 1.
CheltenhamCheltenham Town1NewportNewport County1
Newport County goalkeeper Tom King scored the first goal of his career as the Exiles drew 1-1 away at Cheltenham Town.
The 25-year-old's goal-kick was picked up in the wind before Robins goalkeeper Josh Griffiths was caught out by the bounce as the ball sailed into the net.
Newport players ran all the way back into their own penalty area to celebrate with King, who was included in Wales' international squad for the first time in November 2019.
Stunned by the goal the Cheltenham players appeared to appeal to officials, but after a quick discussion between the referee Peter Wright and the fourth official the goal was given.
King was then forced into more familiar action, as he denied Alfie May and Finn Azaz at the other end of the pitch.
But the County goalkeeper could not prevent Matty Blair from levelling the score late in the first half from a tight angle.
In a less-eventful second half, Cheltenham's Ellis Chapman came closest to finding a winner when his free-kick grazed the top of the Newport crossbar.
But neither side were able to find a second goal, as Newport missed the opportunity to return to the top of League Two.
A point keeps Cheltenham in the play-off places in sixth, two points behind the automatic promotion places.
"It's the first goal I've scored at professional level, I'd like to say I saw him off his line but no," King told Radio 5 Live Sport.
"Luckily it went in, but we were looking for the three points tonight not just the one.
"It's taken a lot of people by surprise, I didn't even know how to celebrate really, and I apologised to the other goalkeeper [Josh Griffiths] after the game.
"It almost happened to me last season against Morecambe, it's not nice to be on the other end of it."
Line-ups
Cheltenham
Formation 3-5-2
- 20Griffiths
- 5RaglanBooked at 56mins
- 4TozerBooked at 64mins
- 15Boyle
- 11Blair
- 18AzazSubstituted forWilliamsat 84'minutes
- 7Thomas
- 28Chapman
- 3HusseySubstituted forClementsat 32'minutes
- 10May
- 19LloydSubstituted forAddaiat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Long
- 6Bowry
- 8Clements
- 14Williams
- 16Addai
- 22Harris
- 25Chamberlain
Newport
Formation 3-5-2
- 1King
- 15Longe-King
- 8Dolan
- 28Demetriou
- 32Shephard
- 7WillmottSubstituted forAbrahamsat 67'minutes
- 4Labadie
- 17Bennett
- 3Haynes
- 27ScrimshawSubstituted forWindsorat 67'minutes
- 9AmondSubstituted forTaylorat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Baker
- 11Abrahams
- 21Collins
- 24Evans
- 26Windsor
- 29Taylor
- 30Townsend
- Referee:
- Peter Wright
Match Stats
Home TeamCheltenhamAway TeamNewport
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home18
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away1
- Corners
- Home5
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away4
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Cheltenham Town 1, Newport County 1.
Post update
Attempt blocked. William Boyle (Cheltenham Town) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Post update
Corner, Cheltenham Town. Conceded by Scot Bennett.
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Attempt blocked. Alfie May (Cheltenham Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
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Attempt blocked. Alfie May (Cheltenham Town) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Chris Clements.
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Foul by Alfie May (Cheltenham Town).
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Scot Bennett (Newport County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Ben Tozer (Cheltenham Town).
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Joss Labadie (Newport County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Alex Addai (Cheltenham Town).
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Matthew Dolan (Newport County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Cheltenham Town. Andy Williams replaces Finn Azaz.
Post update
Corner, Newport County. Conceded by Matty Blair.
Substitution
Substitution, Cheltenham Town. Alex Addai replaces George Lloyd.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ellis Chapman (Cheltenham Town) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Finn Azaz following a set piece situation.
Post update
Charlie Raglan (Cheltenham Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Scot Bennett (Newport County).
Post update
Chris Clements (Cheltenham Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Joss Labadie (Newport County).
