Newport ended a run of six league matches without a win thanks to Jamille Matt's 15th goal of the season.

The in-form striker converted from close range to close the gap on the playoff places to six points, while the defeat meant Exeter missed the chance to leapfrog Forest Green into the top seven.

Matt had an early opportunity to break the deadlock after a free-flowing move when he got his head to Robbie Willmott's cross, but he could only find the gloves of Christy Pym.

Some athletic goalkeeping at the other end kept the scores level when Newport goalkeeper Joe Day used every fibre of his frame to claw Dara O'Shea's looping header away from danger.

The crossbar came to Newport's rescue three minutes after half-time when Ryan Bowman's fierce volley from 20 yards beat Day but struck the woodwork.

But the crucial goal finally came after 72 minutes thanks to the quick reactions of Newport striker Matt.

Willmott's free-kick delivery dropped on the edge of the six-yard box and Matt was first to it to secure a vital win for Michael Flynn's side.

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