Jack Aitchison rescued a point for Forest Green as they drew 1-1 at Newport County on Tuesday evening.

Finn Azaz struck early for the Exiles but Aitchison’s second-half goal ensured the visitors left Rodney Parade with a point.

The hosts opened the scoring after just two minutes when Robert Street’s cross found Azaz in the box. The striker calmly controlled the ball before launching a left-footed shot, which found the back of the net.

Newport came close to doubling their lead but were denied by Luke McGee, who blocked a fierce shot from Azaz with the striker clean through on goal.

McGee came to Forest Green’s rescue again when Azaz played in Dom Telford only to be denied by the visiting keeper’s boot, meaning the hosts turned around with a 1-0 lead.

Aitchison equalised in the 55th minute with a left-footed shot which beat Nick Townsend to find the bottom left corner of the net.

Tempers flared with six minutes remaining when Newport’s James Clarke was sent off for dragging down Jamille Matt.

The visitors pushed hard for the winner, but Newport’s defence remained intact.

Forest Green manager Rob Edwards insisted his side would have been worthier of the three points.

“I don’t think it was a game of two halves,” he said.

“For the last 25 minutes of the first half I thought we were the dominant team.

“I was really disappointed with the start, but I’m really proud of the players with how they stayed calm. It was a ferocious atmosphere, and they were well up for it.

“This is what we’ve been dealing with for a long time. We are up there to be shot at.

“People really give it everything, and they really did. We stood up to it really well.

“We were completely dominant in the second half, and if any team was going to get the win it was us.”

Rovers still have a 10-point lead at the top of League Two, despite having now gone four games without a win.

They travel to Salford City on Saturday afternoon.