Former Newport County player Corey Whitely returned to haunt them as League Two leaders Bromley extended their unbeaten league run to 20 matches with a smash-and-grab win at Rodney Parade.

Newport dominated much of proceedings but now find themselves just one point above the drop zone.

For Bromley, the result moves them five points clear at the top of the table as they aim for promotion to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history.

Buoyed by climbing out of the relegation zone and up to 21st, County started brightly at Rodney Parade.

Harrison Biggins went close early on before Lee Jenkins met Tom Davies' corner, only for Jude Arthurs to clear off the line.

Christian Fuchs' men continued to dominate as Sven Sprangler threaded a superb pass to Ben Lloyd, whose strike on the angle was saved by Grant Smith.

Bromley took a while to get going and didn't threaten until just after the half-hour, when Mitch Pinnock's free kick found Nicke Kabamba, but Jordan Wright saved well.

An injury to Jenkins forced Matt Smith on after 38 minutes, yet County maintained momentum: Lloyd again went close and Bobby Kamwa tested Smith from distance before the break.

Chances were scarce early in the second half until Lloyd, starting in place of the injured Michael Spellman, struck the post after excellent work from Kamwa.

Lloyd then turned provider as Kamwa attempted an acrobatic finish, but the final touch continued to evade a side with just 38 goals this season.

Bromley rallied late on as Omar Sowunmi had an effort cleared off the line by Cameron Evans and Marcus Dinanga headed over.

And the league leaders found a way, through Whitely, who came off the bench in the 57th minute. It was the leaders 13th goal scored by a substitute this season, the most in the division.

In the 88th minute, he latched onto a poor clearance just outside the box to smash the ball on the half-volley into the far corner.

In a match that rarely resembled bottom versus top, Bromley were arguably fortunate to leave south Wales with all three points but underlined a promotion chasing side that were able to win even when they were not at their best.

Their attention now turns to Colchester on Saturday, while Newport prepare to face Walsall as the Saddlers look to revive their season after looking like early promotion contenders before going on a winless run from January to mid-February that has seen them slip to 10th.

Newport County boss Christian Fuchs: "It was a great performance. I think, when you look at the game, you cannot tell who is number one in the table.

"I'm very proud of the team, with the character that they played, with the intensity, the energy. They didn't deserve at the end what they got from the game, but that's one of those moments - you play really well and don't deserve that loss at the end.

"We should be more clinical with our chances, that's very clear. I think we had chances for three games [and three victories]. But, overall, I'm very proud of the boys and we need to build on that again."

Bromley head coach, Andy Woodman: "We were terrible. I mean, we were terrible. And were we terrible or were Newport fighting for their lives? And they run their socks off and they made it tough for us. And we just couldn't get going.

"You know, we've had one or two problems coming into the game with players we've had to kind of really look after. It's been tricky. But, you know, credit to Newport and credit to the manager.

"What he's done here, he's turned his team around and I mean they really didn't deserve to lose tonight. And I don't say that often."