NEWPORT County AFC and Carlisle United shared six goals and shared the points after a thrilling 3-3 draw at Rodney Parade. Shawn McCoulsky put the Exiles ahead and two Matty Dolan free-kicks levelled the match after the break. Here's what we learned...

1. McCoulsky the clear leader in the scoring charts

Loan star Shawn McCoulsky hadn’t scored since the FA Cup win over Walsall five weeks ago but that is now nine goals in 18 games for the 20-year-old – nine starts and nine substitute appearances.

This wasn’t his best performance in a County shirt but he broke the deadlock with a classic poacher’s goal two minutes before the break and is now two clear of Frank Nouble, three ahead of Padraig Amond and four above Joss Labadie.

2. Exiles couldn’t cope with a taste of their own medicine

County have used the long throws of Mickey Demetriou and Ben Tozer to good effect so far this season but the boot was on the other foot at the start of the second half.

Former Exiles player Tom Miller’s missiles caused chaos in the area and allowed Carlisle to level and then edge ahead before Miller then headed in a third from a move that started with a short corner. The set-piece specialists were undone by three set-pieces.

South Wales Argus:

3. Dolan delivers when it matters

County were rocking and in desperate need of moments of inspiration at 2-1 down and 3-2 behind and Dolan delivered not once but twice with two stunning free-kicks.

It was the former Yeovil Town midfielder’s best performance since his summer move and, with talk of a January loan return for Josh Sheehan, it was a timely reminder of what he’s capable of.

4. County aren’t lacking in fighting spirit

There have been far too many examples of teams fighting back to take points off the Exiles in the last two months but this time, after their midweek boxing session, it was the other way round.

They could have folded after two big setbacks but twice they picked themselves off the canvas and showed real character to get back on level terms, and they could even have won it at the death.

5. ‘Lucky’ hooped socks are here to stay

The hosts again sported their retro rugby-style black and amber hooped socks, which caused a stir when they got their first airing during last week’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Cambridge United.

Joss Labadie and Dan Butler went agonisingly close to claiming all three points and maintaining the socks’ 100 per cent record at the death but the Exiles are still unbeaten in the controversial hosiery and they’re definitely not a one-off.