Exeter City 1-0 Newport County

Newport sub Tristan Abrahams was one of eight players to be shown a yellow card by referee Brett Huxtable in a fiery encounter

Lee Martin got the only goal as Exeter City won at home to Newport County.

Martin's matchwinner came on 14 minutes when Jake Taylor's shot was blocked and the 32-year-old midfielder followed up to find the corner from 15 yards.

County striker Jamille Matt almost snatched a draw but his close-range header under pressure from Taylor was narrowly off target.

Exeter remain second in League Two, three points behind leaders Swindon Town, while Newport drop to 14th.

Chances were few and far between on a miserable, blustery afternoon, during which the wet conditions turned the pitch into a quagmire.

In a fractious game of eight bookings (four for each side), five of the cautions from referee Brett Huxtable came in stoppage time.