Hastings United picked up a valuable away point with a 1-1 draw at highly fancied Newport County.

After conceding early on United gradually found their feet and had much the better of the second half when they could have taken all three points.

It took Newport just six minutes to open the scoring. A left wing attack ended with Ryan Ashington crossing to Nathan Davies just inside the area and his finish flashed past keeper Dave King.

Hastings' best opening of the first period came on 24 minutes when Nick Hegley's shot flew across the face of goal.

Mike Fowler's free kick minutes later found Jeff Eckhardt but his header was wide of the target.

The second half saw the visitors become more dominant with the home side being pushed back more and more.

Adam Flanagan went close with a header and long range efforts from Hegley and Landry Zahana-Oni just cleared the crossbar.

With 15 minutes remaining substitute Joel Bevis's quick turn and shot gave home keeper Pat Mountain no chance.