Cheltenham Town edged Newport County in a feisty affair to end the Exiles' nine-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

Charlie McCann's goal after five minutes proved the difference as Wyll Stanway saved a Newport penalty from Harrison Biggins in the second half.

Newport had the better of the chances during a game in which five yellow cards were shown, and Cheltenham coach Ashley Vincent was sent off.

The win keeps The Robins inside the League Two play-off places, while County have now played more than 360 minutes against Cheltenham without scoring.

With Newport missing key forwards Shaquille Gwengwe and Christian Doidge due to suspension and injury respectively, midfielder Biggings looked most likely to score early for the visitors.

The 30-year-old nearly opened the scoring spectacularly, but his attempt to catch out Stanway from inside Newport's half flew just past the post.

Cheltenham responded two minutes later, taking the lead with a neat McCann finish - his eighth goal of the season - though County should have been level at the break.

Garner, who scored his first goal of the season at Rotherham in midweek, had the goal at his mercy on 40 minutes but sent the ball over the unguarded net.

The second half started dramatically when Cheltenham staff member Vincent was shown a red card before the action on the pitch started to boil over.

An increasingly fiery affair came to a head when Biggins was tripped for a Newport penalty, but his subsequent spot-kick was saved by Stanway.

His failed effort proved decisive, and George Miller ought to have rubber-stamped Cheltenham's victory, but somehow missed a chance from two yards.

The Exiles failed to convert any of their 15 chances and suffered defeat for the first time since 5 September at Northampton.

Steve Cotterill told BBC Radio Gloucestershire:

"You have to give Newport credit. They've done really well as of late, and they made it difficult today.

"If I look at the game as a whole, did we deserve to win the game? I think we did for different reasons.

"To have the clean sheet, it makes it even more spectacular for him [Stanway] after saving a penalty.

"It was a really tough game for both teams today in terrible conditions."

Newport County manager Hayden Mullins told BBC Radio Wales:

"The start has really undone us today. We gave away a cheap goal that we are really unhappy with.

"I was pleased with the response. We got back into the game and were really front-footed in the second half.

"On another day, we potentially would have won it. There was a lot going past the post. Ciaran Brennan had a chance, and the penalty miss has cost us as well."