Newport County 0-1 Southend United: Tom Clifford goal stuns Exiles

Newport midfielder Josh Sheehan gets to the ball ahead of Reeco Hackett-Fairchild

Southend United climbed off the bottom of the League Two table thanks to a 1-0 victory at promotion-chasing Newport County.

Tom Clifford's 75th-minute free-kick gave Mark Molesely's team only a second away win of the season.

They move above Grimsby Town and are only behind 22nd-placed Barrow on goal difference.

Newport drop to fifth having missed the chance to return to the automatic promotion places.

Debutant Nicky Maynard had earned Mike Flynn's side a first victory in 10 matches by scoring the only goal against Grimsby last Saturday.

The veteran forward had the only effort of note in a forgettable first half after being teed up by Padraig Amond, but his shot was blocked.

Newport improved early in the second period and came close when Priestley Farquharson headed narrowly off target.

But Southend responded with Ashley Nathaniel-George forcing a save from County keeper Nick Townsend before Simeon Akinola flicked wide at a corner.

Then came the winner, with left-back Clifford scoring on his 22nd birthday as his free-kick appeared to take a deflection which left Townsend wrongfooted.

Josh Sheehan, Ryan Taylor and Maynard saw late chances to equalise go begging on a frustrating night for the hosts.

Newport manager Mike Flynn:

"We weren't very good, let's be straight, but we still should have won the game.

"It's hard to create things on that pitch - it's the same for both teams. We have got to take our chances when they come because they are going to be few and far between.

"It's really frustrating because they had a chance to go second in the table tonight and they have not taken that chance. It's a bad result. Let's not dress it up.

"I am sure there will be many people writing us off. That's fine - crack on. We'll make sure we're there or thereabouts come the end of the season."