91Èȱ¬

Stevenage moved above League Two play-off rivals Newport County with victory at the Lamex Stadium.

Charlie Lee's powerful header from Simon Walton's corner put Stevenage ahead just before the half hour mark.

Bira Dembele headed home Ben Kennedy's free-kick at the far post to extend the home side's lead.

Adam Chapman scored late on but it was a consolation goal for Newport, who had Chris Zebroski sent off for a second yellow card.

Newport have dropped out of the play-off places while Stevenage are eighth and level on points with seventh placed Plymouth Argyle.

Stevenage manager Graham Westley told 91Èȱ¬ Three Counties Radio:

"It was a war of attrition, it was about being intelligent about how you play your game, about earning your set-pieces and about playing in the right areas.

"We got ourselves into a good position with a well-executed corner and a well-executed free-kick.

"I don't think we were at our best, but if you going to be successful, you're going to have to win games when you're not at your best.

"We've seen a red card from a horrible-looking tackle that you don't want to see on a football pitch."

Newport County manager Jimmy Dack told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Wales:

"We had more possession and had more shots on goal but it wasn't our day. We didn't take our chances again.

"It's a really tough place to come and play and in the second half we took the game to them. We had a go and a final push but it wasn't to be."