KEEP that champagne on ice. Newport County AFC’s battle to beat the drop will go down to the final day of the season after a spirited Carlisle United comeback at Brunton Park.

County looked set to secure safety as they led 1-0 through Mickey Demetriou’s early header.

But two goals in three minutes just before and just after the hour mark earned Carlisle a deserved three points and kept the Exiles’ League Two status in the balance.

Michael Flynn’s men remain in control of their own destiny, however.

They are still two points above Hartlepool United, after their relegation rivals were beaten 1-0 at Cheltenham Town, and in the driving seat.

Flynn kept faith with the team that beat Accrington Stanley last week, meaning Scot Bennett only earned a space amongst the substitutes.

And the former captain was joined on the bench by striker Lenell John-Lewis, who had not played since injuring his knee in pre-season.

It was an edgy start from the Exiles and they were nearly behind in the third minute when Jabo Ibehre just failed to convert Jamie Devitt’s cross from the left.

And Joe Day had to be alert to keep out another Ibehre effort soon afterwards.

But, in what was their first serious attack, the visitors made the crucial breakthrough.

It came after some superb work from Alex Samuel earned a free-kick to the right of the penalty area.

Sean Rigg swung the ball into the box and Demetriou’s bullet header crashed in off the underside of the bar.

The defender’s third goal in six games and was met with wild celebrations amongst the 306 travelling fans.

And news of Cheltenham’s opener against Hartlepool soon had them singing ‘we are staying up’ in the stands.

The home supporters began to voice their frustration midway through the first half as their side failed to impose themselves and continued to offer up chances for the Exiles.

Rigg picked out Samuel soon afterwards but the striker’s shot was just over the bar.

And Rigg found Demetriou with a clever corner only for the defender’s shot to hit the stand high above Mark Gillespie’s goal.

The hosts didn’t seriously threaten again until the final minute of the first half when Jamie Proctor curled the ball past Day but onto the underside of the bar.

The County goalkeeper, who was again in inspired form, was alert to deny Ibehre once more moments later.

A near perfect first 45 minutes ended on a sour note as Samuel was stretchered off with what looked a serious injury.

Aaron Williams replaced Samuel before the break and the injured Mark Randall made way for Bennett at the start of the second half as Flynn looked to contain the threat from the home side.

And sadly it didn’t work, not for long anyway.

Day saved superbly from a Proctor header four minutes after the restart and Nicky Adams sent a volley inches wide from 25 yards.

The pressure was building and the Exiles could not hold back the tide.

The leveler arrived on 59 minutes when they failed to clear a corner and Ibehre lashed the loose ball home from close range.

And, with the home fans roused and the Carlisle players pouring forward, it was no surprise when they completed the turnaround on 61 minutes.

Day was surprised by the stunning shot from Adams from 25 yards but there was no stopping the ball as it curled beyond him and into the bottom corner.

Day kept his side in with a shout and kept the goal difference in check with a string of fantastic saves to deny Ibehre, Proctor, Luke Joyce and Reggie Lambe.

John-Lewis returned to action with a sprightly cameo and Demetriou curled a free-kick just wide in the closing stages but there was no way back into the game and the fight goes on.

County: Day; Pipe, O’Brien, Demetriou, Butler; Rigg, Labadie, Randall (Bennett, 46), Owen-Evans; Samuel (Williams, 45), Bird (John-Lewis, 73)

Subs not used: Bittner, Barnum-Bobb, Nelson, Myrie-Williams

Booked: Owen-Evans

Referee: David Webb

Attendance: 5,402 (306 County)

Argus star man: Joe Day