Harrogate Town 1-4 Newport County - Evans scores 20th league goal

Will Evans scores from the penalty spot

Will Evans scored his 20th League Two goal of the season to set Newport on their way to a handsome win.

Offrande Zanzala also celebrated his first league start for more than a year with two goals, while substitute Seb Palmer-Houlden sealed the win.

Harrogate substitute George Thomson netted a consolation for the hosts.

County's return to winning way sees them just two points off the play-off positions.

It was a special night for former Bala player Evans who became only the second Newport player to net 20 league goals in the top four divisions - following Dom Telford in 2022 - since Liverpool legend John Aldridge achieved the feat in 1984.

Newport took control just past the half hour mark with two goals in as many minutes, having previously seen a Scott Bennett header cleared off the line.

Evans made no mistake from the penalty spot after 31 minutes to his claim milestone goal after home defender Liam Gibson had handled inside the box.

Two minutes later Zanzala fired home from close after Bryn Morris and Aaron Wildig had been denied.

Evans also headed a chance wide before the break in a dominant performance by the visitors, which brought jeers for the home team on the half-time whistle.

Newport strengthened their grip early in the second half as Zanzala increased his team's lead on 51 minutes after a flighted Adam Lewis free kick had caused problems.

Harrogate boss Simon Weaver made a quadruple substitution on 57 minutes and substitute Levi Sutton lofted a chance over the bar before slicing wide.

But Newport made the game safe when substitute Palmer-Houlden combined with Evans before cutting in from the left to net his sixth league goal of the campaign.

George Thomson's 10th league goal of the season was a mere consolation for Harrogate, who were consigned to consecutive home defeats.

Newport manager Graham Coughlan said: "We were all annoyed on Saturday with our own performances and our levels, we let a lot of fans down who travelled and we were determined not to do that again.

"The support we received tonight and on Saturday was unbelievable and that victory was for them.

"Just a little pay back, just a little thank you to them because they have been brilliant for us all the year around.

"Let us not underestimate that victory for us away at Harrogate on a Tuesday night after what happened to us on Saturday. That is a hell of a victory, that is a hell of a performance as well, I thought we were a different class."