Crawley beat Newport to seal straight league wins for first time since September
Crawley clinched back-to-back league wins for the first time since September with a 3-1 home victory over rock-bottom Newport.
Two goals in the space of five minutes from Josh Yorwerth and Jimmy Smith settled the issue after Joss Labadie had cancelled out an early James Collins header.
The number of bookings reached double-figures as Newport tumbled to their fourth successive league defeat.
Crawley made the perfect start after only three minutes when striker Collins rose unchallenged to head in his 10th league goal of the season - from a cross by Jordan Roberts.
Newport midfielder Labadie had a low shot fumbled by keeper Glenn Morris after Tom Owen-Evans had earlier fired over from the edge of the area.
Referee Nick Kinseley made seven bookings inside the first half-hour including Newport defender Scot Bennett, who crudely brought down Roberts, also cautioned, in an incident that sparked a melee.
Newport levelled on 33 minutes through Labadie who struck his second goal of the season with a deflected shot from a cross by Jazzi Barnum-Bobb.
County substitute Rhys Healey forced keeper Glenn Morris to save well before Welshman Yorwerth restored Crawley's lead by heading in a free-kick from Smith on 49 minutes.
Skipper Smith made it 3-1 soon after, firing low into the corner after Collins headed down a Roberts cross.
Healey later fired wastefully over before Andre Blackman's strong run took him into a good position for Crawley, but he blazed over.
Keeper Morris superbly tipped over a free-kick from Josh Sheehan and Newport striker Josh O'Hanlon fired against the post late on.
Healey blazed a stoppage-time penalty against the bar and although he netted the rebound himself, it was ruled out as keeper Joe Day had not touched the ball.
Source : PA
Source: PA