Harry Worley: Doubt for Hartlepool

It’s been a hard week for me.

The Exiles hope to have reinforced their squad before Saturday’s clash with unbeaten Leyton Orient; both first face a daunting trip to Hartlepool United this evening.

One of the rare moments of drama came when Newport keeper Joe Day’s booted long downfield with Scott Harrison’s header looping towards the home goal but Adam Bartlett collected with relative comfort.

The hosts had their first shot in the 23rd minute, Rakish Bingham going well wide from outside the box.

Attempt saved. Aaron Collins (Newport County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

All that counted for very little, however, once Scott Fenwick had taken advantage of a slip from Parselle on the wet turf to thump the ball past Day from the edge of the area six minutes after the restart.

Fenwick was clearly happier on his right foot as he proceded to blaze into Morrison’s auto park with his left boot shortly afterwards.

Pools will have manager Ronnie Moore back in the dugout for the first time since he flew to Spain to be with his daughter Charlotte after she contracted pneumonia while on holiday, with number two Sam Collins having presided over the wins at Fleetwood in the Capital One Cup and York in his absence.

County go into the game on the back of a battling 2-2 draw against Stevenage at Rodney Parade but they have still to record a win this term.

With the clocking starting to tick, they won a couple of corners in quick succession but could not capitalise on either.

Fenwick should perhaps have doubled his tally but he hooked a half volley wide before he was subbed and his replacement Rhys Oates was denied a certain goal by a brilliant block on the line by Poole.