NEWPORT had two razor-sharp goalkeepers to thank last night for edging them another step clear of the Dr Martens Premier Division trap door.

Their own 6ft 5in hero Colin Matthews pulled off two incredible late saves to secure a 0-0 scoreline with Hinckley on the Island.

Meanwhile, across the Solent, Havant & Waterlooville's Paul Nicholls fended off a late siege by Hednesford, whose 2-1 defeat pushed them down to 18th in the table - a point and a place adrift of Newport.

Tony Mount, who has guided the Islanders to eight from a possible 12 points since returning to the matchday helm, admitted: "We rode our luck last night.

"Hinckley's Phil Stamp could easily have won the game for them at the end, but Colin pulled off two outstanding saves from a shot and a header.

"We didn't really have any scoring chances to speak of, but Hinckley are a big, strong side who defended very well.

"Our boys looked out on their feet. They were so tired.

"But they gave total commitment and deserve nothing but credit.

"Out of the four games we had remaining, I always thought this was going to be a tough one and so it proved."

After disappointment on the road last week, Havant & Waterlooville got back to winning ways at Westleigh Park - but only just.

They went ahead midway through the first half when Jamie O'Rourke got a deflection on Dean Blake's free kick.

Gary Connolly made it two after 49 minutes, stealing in with a header from just inside then18-yard box from a cross by player/co-manager Liam Daish.

James Taylor, O'Rourke, Neil Champion and Blake could all have turned the screw tighter, but it was Hednesford who struck instead on 90 minutes courtesy of towering substitute Kevin Francis.

"Suddenly it was like the Alamo," admitted Hawks' co-boss Mick Jenkins.

"If it hadn't been for our keeper Paul Nicholls, we'd have been in trouble.

"We made hard work of it and Hednesford probably feel aggrieved that they didn't get a point."

The result lifts the Hawks back into third place, edging Crawley Town on goal difference.

At the opposite end of the table, Newport's cause was helped by King's Lynn losing and Welling being held to a 1-1 draw.