A competitive opening 10 minutes saw Mike Flynn’s side create the first chance of the match when the ball dropped kindly for Jamille Matt to fire powerfully at goal just inside the box, but for Christy Pym who made a vital stop.

The resulting corner then caused havoc in the City area before the ball eventually rebounded off Jake Taylor on the goal line with Pym then able to pounce and collect.

The Grecians failed to create any real clear-cut chances in the opening 15 minutes, despite Forte looking dangerous in behind, as Jayden Stockley shot over from distance.

But City managed to get themselves in front when Stockley’s glancing header found Joe Day’s far corner from Jake Taylor’s in-swinging free-kick, as the striker netted his second goal of the season.

Newport then had a good chance to go level when Padraig Amond rose in the air under pressure from Troy Brown, and the ball eventually fell to Josh Sheehan, who blazed over.

A physical first period, which saw a number of free-kicks given for both sides, then came to an end as Matt Taylor’s side took a narrow lead into the break.

The first attempt of the second period fell to Jordan Tillson, who hit a first-time volley just over Day’s goal from the edge of the Newport box.

Substitute Keanu Marsh-Brown would have the away side’s first attempt of the second-half as he was forced to shoot from distance as the Grecians defended their box well, with the Newport number 10’s effort going well over Pym’s goal.

City then had Aaron Martin to thank when Marsh-Brown drove a dangerous low cross in, and the City central defender did well to intercept and clear away the danger.

The Grecians then went inches from going 2-0 up just after the hour mark when Pierce Sweeney put in a dangerous cross, and Holmes did well to find himself a yard of space before directing a header low towards the left-hand corner, but for an excellent save by Day.

Two more chances fell for City on 75 minutes when Stockley rose well to head straight at Day from close range, which preceded a chance for substitute Nicky Law, who floated an effort to the far corner but could only find the crossbar.

And the Grecians would be made to rue those missed opportunities when the away side levelled through Harris. On the counter attack, the substitute did well to ride the challenges of Dean Moxey and Troy Brown before finishing past Pym.

Law then broke through the County midfield on 85 minutes as City searched to go back in front. The midfielder did well to find himself some space before shooting narrowly wide past Day’s goal, as the game ended one apeice.

Exeter City: Pym, Sweeney, A. Martin, Tillson, Holmes (L. Martin, 83), Stockley, Forte (Abrahams, 66), Moxey, Taylor, Brown, Boateng (Law, 74)

Subs not used: Hamon, Woodman, Jay, Oates

Booked: Abrahams

Newport County AFC: Day, Pipe (Marsh Brown, 45), Butler, Franks, Dolan, Amond, Matt (Semenyo, 60), Bakinson, Sheehan (Harris, 73), Bennett, Demetriou

Subs not used: Townsend, Forbes, O’Brien, Cooper

Booked: Franks, Bennett

Attendance: 4,239 (Inc, 332, away)