Newport County 3-3 Walsall: Freddie Draper hat-trick denies hosts victory

Freddie Draper has now hit eight goals in 12 games for Walsall on loan from Lincoln City

On-loan striker Freddie Draper scored a late equaliser to complete his hat-trick as Walsall denied Newport County a much-needed League Two victory.

A Bryn Morris fourth-minute thunderbolt put the hosts ahead before Draper levelled for the first time.

Will Evans restored the County lead before the break but Draper then levelled again with a composed finish.

Morris looked to have won it but Draper then hit a third equaliser in stoppage time to earn the Saddlers a point.

It proved to be a frustrating evening for Newport boss Graham Coughlan, who was marking 12 months since his appointment at Rodney Parade.

The hosts move up a place to 19th while Walsall also move up one place to 12th, four places shy of the play-offs - thanks to their second hat-trick in successive games.

Former Walsall loan man Bryn Morris has scored three league goals for Newport this season

Newport County manager Graham Coughlan:

"Really annoyed, really frustrated. That's not good enough at this level.

"To score three goals at home you would fully expect to win but to concede the three goals in the manner in which we did, I'm really fuming.

"You can't concede goals like the way we're conceding. You trust people, you give them the jersey, you give them chances in the team and they give you those type of errors."

Walsall head coach Mat Sadler told BBC Radio WM:

"Fair play to the lads. They showed extreme character, extreme heart, resilience, desire, and that bit of quality to give the supporters something to go home with, which they deserved.

"It does feel a little bit like a win, of course it does. We're a bit frustrated because we feel the game could have been there for us to win, but we have to be pleased with a point in the end.

"Freddie has got bags of ability. It's a special night for him - his first career hat-trick. Whisper it, because he's doing some fantastic things. We've got a great relationship with Lincoln, and we hope to see Freddie for as long as we can in a Walsall shirt."