Newport County (1) 1
Aldridge (pen)

Exeter (0) 0

Attendance 2,465

Francis charity

Newport Co 1, Exeter City 0

Exeter remained firmly anchored to the bottom of the Third Division thanks to a penalty given away by player-manager Gerry Francis. It might fairly be argued that referee Tony Ward's verdict on the Francis challenge on Tony Reid was harsh. Be that as it may, penalty let in Newport’s John Aldridge for his 29th goal of the season sank Exeter and whose excellent defensive display kept Newport otherwise at bay. 
City were close to snatching an equaliser as Ray Pratt hit the crossbar.