By Michael Addison
Jordan Wright’s penalty save on the hour denied Newport their first win since late October as the hosts were held to a second consecutive league draw at Rodney Parade.
Kyle Hudlin was taken down by Grimsby midfielder Kieran Green and when the Huddersfield-loanee stepped up from 12-yards he was thwarted by Mariners’ goalkeeper Wright.
In an evenly-contested first-half, Newport created the best chance, Kieron Evans cutting onto his left foot and curling his shot which was parried away by Wright. The loose ball fell to Bobby Kamwa but Wright pulled off a double save to deny County.
The visitors had a goal ruled out for offside, five minutes before the break as Luca Barrington’s cross was turned in by Green.
Grimsby, looking to climb into the play-off places, created a great chance at the beginning of the second-half, with Jayden Luker finding himself with the goal to aim at before dragging his shot wide of the target.
Newport created two great opportunities to take the lead as substitute Michael Spellman crossed the ball to Hudlin, although he couldn’t sort his feet out in time. Spellman, minutes later, found himself with only Wright to beat but squandered the opportunity.
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The Exiles were then awarded the penalty but Hudlin’s shot low towards Wright’s bottom left was stopped by the goalkeeper.
The Mariners had two opportunities to break the deadlock.
Evan Khouri’s strike towards goal was punched away by Newport ‘keeper Nick Townsend. Two minutes later, Green’s cross into the penalty area had Danny Rose sliding in, but the forward was unable to get sufficient contact on the ball.
Newport thought they had won the game in the last minute of normal time as Cameron Antwi squared the ball to Courtney Baker-Richardson, but with Wright beaten, Baker-Richardson was unable to get the important touch.
This result sees Newport in 15th place after 16 league games. Their next league match is away at Meadow Lane to play Notts County, next Saturday.