NEWPORT County will be bidding for their first away win of 2011 when they take on York City tomorrow afternoon.

The Exiles have won their last three matches 2-1 – all at home – against Darlington, Grimsby and Gateshead but have gone nine games without a victory on the road since a 3-2 triumph at play-off contenders Kidderminster on December 28.

Furthermore, that success was the Welshmen’s only away victory in 14 matches – a run extending back to another notable scalp when they inflicted the last league defeat on champions-elect Crawley back in mid-October.

Last season’s Blue Square South champions do, however, tend to reserve their best away displays for some of the division’s leading lights, having also held Luton and AFC Wimbledon on their own turf back in August.

Tomorrow’s Bootham Crescent clash will mark the first time new manager Anthony Hudson has taken his charges away from the comforts of Spytty Park.

Hudson, 30, began his reign on Tuesday night after taking over from Tim Harris, who had been in temporary charge following Dean Holdsworth’s departure for Aldershot in January.

The victory over Darlington represented the former European Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-finalists’ third triumph in the space of a week, moving Newport to within three points of seventh-placed City although they have played a game more than tomorrow’s hosts.

Hudson, the son of former Chelsea and England star Alan, was a surprise choice for the managerial vacancy but has been dubbed the new “Jose Mourinho” by previous employer Harry Redknapp for the attention to detail he displayed during his time as a member of Tottenham’s first-team staff.

The former West Ham youth-team player is expected to leave the starting line-up unchanged for a third successive game with left-back Lee Baker (broken foot) and Eddie Odhiambo (broken wrist) still ruled out.

Former Rangers midfielder Steve Lennon is likely to recover from a knock against Darlington to retain his place but Sam Foley is on stand-by if he does not.

Lennon has been operating just behind lone striker Charlie Griffin, who has netted twice in ten matches since returning to the club at the end of January after a spell at League Two side Stevenage.

Top scorer Craig Reed moved in the opposite direction for a six-figure sum having netted 18 times for Newport this season, but he has only managed one goal in 14 outings for the Hertfordshire promotion contenders.

Newport’s play-off challenge, meanwhile, has been undermined by too many drawn games with 15 the Blue Square Bet Premier’s second-highest tally behind Darlington.

Newport (probable): Thompson, Bignot, Warren, Todd, Hughes, Knights, Collins, Rose, Morgan, Lennon, Griffin.


Match facts

NEWPORT are making their first league trip to Bootham Crescent for exactly 24 years. On April 11, 1987, City won a Division Three (League One) encounter 3-0 with goals from Gary Ford and Keith Walwyn (2). The line-up that day was: Leaning, Senior, Pearce, Pickering, McAughtrie, Haslegrave, Ford, Banton, Walwyn, Mills, Canham.

Newport made a total of 15 Football League visits (1959-1987) and in the series City won 12 times with one draw scoring 30 goals to eight.

The Welsh club have won here twice – the last occasion in 1978/9. City’s biggest win was 5-1 in 1964/5.

Players to have appeared for both clubs include David Pugh and Gordon Staniforth, while former City star Colin Addison had two spells as manager of County in the 1970s and ’80s.


It happened on April 9

1955: An Easter Saturday Bootham Crescent crowd of 12,346 saw a goalless draw against Grimsby Town and City were fourth in Division Three North.

1965: City gained their 12th successive home league win when they beat Crewe Alexandra 3-1 thanks to goals from skipper Billy Rudd (2) and Paul Aimson. The attendance was 8,071 and the club were third in Division Four.

1971: A 2-0 home win over Darlington with Paul Aimson and Archie Taylor on the scoresheet. The crowd for this Good Friday fixture was 10,623 and City were fourth in the Fourth Division. It was the 13th league game without defeat and extended their unbeaten record at Bootham Crescent, going back to January 1970 to 35 league and cup matches.

1983: Colchester United were beaten 3-0 at Bootham Crescent with goals from Viv Busby, Brian Pollard (pen) and Steve Senior, and City were seventh in the Fourth Division. City were unbeaten in 14 home league and cup fixtures (13 wins, one draw). The attendance was 2,538.

2006: Andy Bishop (pen) and Clayton Donaldson netted in a 2-2 home draw against Kidderminster Harriers in a Sunday fixture watched by 3,376. City were sixth in the Conference.

Compiled by David Batters