A SCRAPPY stoppage-time goal from captain Joss Labadie earned Newport County AFC a 2-1 win at Cambridge United after the hosts had cancelled out Shawn McCoulsky's opener. Here's what we learned...

1. Shawn McCoulsky is here to stay

Just like last week’s opener against Carlisle, McCoulsky showed demonstrated the happy knack of being in the right place at the right time to tuck in a rebound and claim his 10th goal of the season.

And it seems Bristol City have been convinced that Newport County is the right place for the 20-year-old to continue his footballing apprenticeship – a welcome early Christmas present for the Exiles.

South Wales Argus:

2. Cambridge must be sick of the sight of Joss Labadie

The captain scored both goals in the 2-0 FA Cup win over Cambridge a fortnight ago and he was the main man again, making the first and bundling in the winner at the Abbey Stadium.

That is now six goals for the season for Labadie and half of them have come against the U’s. Shaun Derry insisted that the midfielder should have been sent off and hell certainly be happy that he doesn’t have to face his former player again until April (if he’s still in charge).

3. Late winners so sweet for County fans

After the pain of dropping points late on against Port Vale and Accrington Stanley and the misery of conceding two goals at the death against Barnet – all in November – the boot was finally on the other foot for the Exiles.

They didn’t deserve all three points and the winning goal came courtesy of a large slice of luck but that just made it all the more enjoyable for the 143 travelling fans behind David Forde’s goal.

South Wales Argus:

4. Christmas party a great motivator

The County players were rushing off to the airport after the match to catch a Ryanair flight to Dublin for their Christmas celebration but they were on cloud nine even before they left the Abbey Stadium.

Labadie admitted that he knew little about the goal as Forde’s panicked attempted clearance cannoned off his knee and into the net but he (and Ben Tozer and Padraig Amond) showed great desire and determination to force a winner and ensure they were in party mood.

5. O’Brien and Pipe are worryingly injury prone

The one negative for County and manager Michael Flynn was the fact that defensive duo Mark O’Brien and David Pipe were again forced off.

Neither looked like a serious injury but the concern is that both players are continually picking up knocks and the Exiles need everyone fit for the hectic Christmas fixture list.