NEWPORT County AFC saw their goal drought extend to more than 500 minutes after missing several chances to beat a poor Port Vale side in the Potteries.

Manager Michael Flynn felt his side lacked a creative spark during last week’s 0-0 home draw with Notts County but they at least threatened to score at Vale Park, even if the outcome was the same.

Matty Dolan replaced the suspended Joss Labadie in central midfield and Frank Nouble returned up front in place of Shawn McCoulsky.

Nouble saw a goalbound effort blocked after only 70 seconds but he cut a frustrated figure for much of a scrappy and disjointed first 45 minutes.

There were very few moments of quality on display from either side.

County did most of the attacking but it was the hosts who went closest to breaking the deadlock on 12 minutes.

Top scorer Tom Pope nutmegged Ben White and squared for Michael Tonge, whose shot cannoned off the outside of the post from 25 yards.

That was a minute after Mark O’Brien should have opened the scoring for the Exiles.

A Ben Tozer long throw – the visitors’ most potent weapon – was flicked on to the stand-in skipper but he hooked his shot well over the bar from around six yards out.

Padraig Amond saw a header comfortably saved by Ryan Boot from another Tozer missile and the Irish striker also had a shot blocked from a Dolan corner.

South Wales Argus:

And Dolan (above) and Robbie Willmott both wasted dangerous free-kicks by shooting low into the wall.

At the other end there were few alarms other than a Luke Hannant shot that was deflected wide and a half-hearted penalty appeal for handball.

The pattern continued after the break with Flynn’s men creating the better chances.

They would have been ahead of 56 minutes but for a superb double save from Boot.

The Valiants goalkeeper first produced a stunning reflex save to keep out Nouble’s close-range volley and then got down well to stop O’Brien’s effort from the edge of the box.

County were getting closer and Amond saw another effort saved by Boot shortly afterwards before heading inches wide.

Vale rarely threatened but substitute Ben Whitfield did hook a shot just wide from 25 yards in the 65th minute.

Flynn changed things up front for the final 15 minutes as he replaced Nouble and Amond with McCoulsky and Paul Hayes.

McCoulsky really should have sealed all three points on 81 minutes but he placed his shot the wrong side of the post under minimal pressure and that winning goal remained elusive.

County: Day; White, O’Brien, Demetriou; Pipe, Dolan, Tozer, Butler; Willmott; Nouble (Hayes, 76), Amond (McCoulsky, 76)

Subs not used: Bittner, Reid, Osadebe, Sheehan, Jackson

Referee: Tom Nield

Attendance: 4,013 (288 County)

Argus star man: Demetriou