IT was a tremendous performance, especially with 10 men for virtually the whole of the second half, but no little disappointment that their leveller came so late in the day.
Hopefully, the TV cameras got their monies worth, as Spytty Stadium witnessed the first league derby between these two old foes in over 20 years.
In the end both teams had to settle for a point, but it will have been the home fans who were the happier, after watching Wrexham dominate proceedings in the first half and head into the dressing rooms at the break with a deserved advantage, thanks to Andy Morrell's deflected effort.
The visitors though were a man down just minutes after the interval, as Neil Ashton saw red for a push on Charlie Henry, but Craig Reid failed to convert from 12-yards and it was to take a last gasp effort from substitute Darryl Knights to draw the Exiles level. In doing so, he also preserved a 29-game unbeaten home record.
It all started slightly differently, as a Newport corner bounced through low on the slippy surface, but Scott Shearer saved with both hands. Then Kerry Morgan's quick feet on the left wing saw him retrieve a long ball out to him and he won a corner off Curtis Obeng.
On 12 minutes, home striker Robbie Matthews found himself with a clear shot at goal from six-yards, after a clearance deflected off a Wrexham leg and into his path, but the former Kidderminster forward fired right across the face of the goal.
It took nearly 20 minutes for Wrexham to pose a threat on the home goal, when Andy Morrell found Kevin Gall on the right wing, his deep cross was attacked by Dean Keates, but the midfielder was only able to find the side netting.
There was then a scary moment as a dreadful back pass from the wing was aimed at Shearer, but the keeper hesitated and in rushed Morgan, but the ball deflected off him, spun towards the Wrexham goal and somehow passed the right side of a post.
A long throw in from Obeng was only partially cleared and from the edge of the box ANDY MORRELL tried his luck and it paid off as his shot deflected up and over Glyn Thompson for his 100th career goal.
Shortly afterwards Keates' quick free kick from the centre circle was aimed at Morrell, who got round his marker but was blocked by the keeper on the edge of the box.
Wrexham were enjoying a good spell of possession and pressure, pinning County back into their own half, with Keates and Christian Smith bossing things through the middle.
On 38 minutes, keeper Thompson made amends for conceding a free kick for handball, when he slide out of the box, as Keates' shot found its way through the wall but the stopper did well to grab it under pressure.
A lovely ball out to Neil Ashton was knocked into the home box and forced a corner as the returning defenders were just glad to hammer the ball out of the play. The cross was delivered and KP was only inches away from meeting it with his head.
Before most people had settled down for the second half, the home side had been awarded a penalty when Neil Ashton nudged Charlie Reid from behind. It was no surprise that a red card quickly followed for the full back, who had been left exposed when Knight-Percival missed out on a bouncing ball and County broke into the box.
Craig Reid then hit the cross bar from 12-yards, as he seemed to slip as he took the kick, the ball bouncing back into play and Sinclair hammering it out of play.
The Reds reorganised as Smith dropped to centre half and Sinclair switched to left back.
It was hardly surprising that County stepped up the pressure in an attempt to get back into the game and a corner was sent long, Gary Warren did get his head to the cross but it was only a glancing touch.
Newport worked space well in front of goal and as the ball sat up for Eddie Odhiambo, his low shot from 18 yards forced Shearer into a diving save.
With 15 minutes remaining, the hard working Morrell was replaced by Andy Mangan.
A long ball out to Danny Rose was met with a great volley from the home player and Shearer had to tip it over his crossbar.
With the minutes ticking down County twice stretched the Wrexham defence and got in two headers, but Shearer took both efforts.
Mangan then chased a long ball to the line, held it up and spotted Kevin Gall arriving at the back post, the winger slide in but could only fire into the side netting.
On 88 minutes Newport did find the net when a slip in the Wrexham defence saw the ball run loose and DARRYL KNIGHTS made no mistake from close range.
It was poor reward for the 10-men, who looked like the might be able to hold out and take what would have been a significant victory.
Newport County (4-4-2): Glyn Thompson, Phil Bignot, Jamie Collins, Gary Warren, Chris Todd, Danny Rose, Charlie Henry (Darryl Knights 78), Eddie Odhiambo, Robbie Matthews (Tony Taggart 78), Craig Reid, Kerry Morgan (Sam Foley 66).
Subs: Glyn Garner, Scott Rogers.
Wrexham (4-3-3): Scott Shearer, Curti Obeng, Chris Blackburn, Frank Sinclair, Neil Ashton, Jay Harris, Dean Keates, Christian Smith, Kevin Gall, Andy Morrell (Andy Mangan 73), Nat Knight-Percival.
Subs: Declan Walker, David Brown, Jamie Tolley, Gareth Taylor.
Referee: S Martin (Stafford)
Attendance: 3,206
Away: 300ish
Bookings -
Wrexham: Knight-Percival (67, foul), Smith (90, foul)
