SECOND-HALF strikes from Jamille Matt and substitute Cameron Pring earned Newport County AFC the “statement win” that manager Michael Flynn had demanded against promotion rivals Colchester United.

After a cagey first half, the match sprang into life in the second half and County deservedly prevailed to leapfrog the visitors and climb back up to third in the League Two table.

Antoine Semenyo replaced Josh Sheehan in the one change from last Saturday’s FA Cup win at Metropolitan Police.

And the Bristol City forward started on the left of midfield as Flynn switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Robbie Willmott on the other flank.

Willmott had been in sparkling form in the past two games with assists for Padraig Amond and Mark Harris but he wasn’t allowed much space to work his magic by the Colchester defence.

And he was forced off with an injury before the break, with Pring introduced from the bench and Semenyo switching to the right.

That was the most significant action in a tight first 45 minutes that was dominated by the defences.

Amond had a half chance early on after a slip from a U’s defender but he overran the ball.

And Frank Nouble tried his luck from 25 yards out soon afterwards but Joe Day got everything behind the shot and caught it comfortably.

Nouble was booed whenever he touched the ball but that wasn’t very often in the first half as he was expertly marshalled by Mickey Demetriou.

The deadlock was finally broken nine minutes after the restart as David Pipe won a corner with a good run down the right.

Amond flicked on Matty Dolan’s delivery and Matt had the simple task of tapping in on the line for his 11th of the season.

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That set up a much more open second period.

Nouble saw a shot well blocked by Fraser Franks and Frankie Kent volleyed way over the top after a Demetriou clearance fell invitingly.

The match was still very much in the balance until County got the crucial second goal on 67 minutes.

Pring made a superbly timed run into the box and he was picked out by Tyreeq Bakinson before coolly firing past Dillon Barnes and into the bottom corner for his first goal in Exiles colours.

The home fans began serenading Frank Nouble with “You should have stayed at the County” as he continued to toil against his former club.

There was a narrow escape when Courtney Senior saw a shot deflected onto the bar on 77 minutes but there were still chances for the hosts to extend their lead at the other end.

Semenyo forced Barnes into a smart save before Amond made an incredible goal-saving block on the line to ensure there was no nervy ending.

It was nearly three in the last minute as Pring hit the bar from close range after a superb run from fellow sub Mark Harris but two was enough for a big win for Flynn’s men.

County: Day; Pipe, Franks, Demetriou, Butler; Willmott (Pring, 34), Dolan (O’Brien, 90), Bakinson, Semenyo (Harris, 86); Amond, Matt

Subs not used: Townsend, Cooper, Sheehan, Hillman

Booked: Pipe

Referee: Roger East

Attendance: 3,512 (231 Colchester)

Argus star man: Amond