Table topping Bromley took another step closer to winning promotion from League Two with a smash and grab raid away at relegation threatened Newport County on Tuesday night, thanks to a late goal from Corey Whitely.  

Bromley went into the game in the usual 4-5-1 formation, with Andy Woodman making two changes to his midfield, Spurs loanee Damola Ajayi given his first start for The Ravens. 

Newport started the game looking very positive and created early chances after a series of corners. Jenkins has a sot cleared off the line by Marcus Ifill and Baker turned a chance wide at the far post.

Lloyd was then denied by a good save from Grant Smith and Jesse Debrah picked up a yellow card after pulling Opoku back when the County forward knocked the ball past him.

Bigging put a free kick over for the home side, before Bromley finally came into things a bit more. Nicke Kabamba having a header saved by Wright from a long Mitchel Pinnock free kick.

After a delay for an injury to Jenkins, Bromley started to threaten a little more, Will Hondermarck volleying over from the edge of the area. Late on Smith made a great save from a deflected Kamwa shot and Lloyd blasted over after a strong run into the box. 

The second half started with Newport still looking the more likely again, Biggins going close with a free kick.

Andy Woodman made changes after only twelve minutes, and it was one of the subs in Marcus Dinanga who put a chance wide from a Kabamba pass soon after.

The tempo of the game stepped up from the hour mark, Lloyd hit the post after good work from Opoku and Kamwa and County had another series of corners. The Ravens benefited from the introduction of Ashley Charles to the midfield for the final fifteen minutes.

Omar Sowunmi had a header cleared off the line by Evans from a Pinnock corner and Dinanga then headed over from another great Pinnock ball into the box from the left.

The play was wide open for the final ten minutes, Lloyd set up Crole who had a shot saved by Smith at his near post, before Bromley took the lead on 88 minutes.

A clearance out of the area fell to Corey Whitely who hit the ball sweetly on the volley from 25 yards and it dipped and swerved past Wright into the far corner of the net to put The Ravens in front.

Kamwa had a shot saved at the other end soon after and there was a huge appeal for a penalty, with the home side claiming Sowunmi had handled the ball in the area, but Referee Mr Howard waved the appeals away.

In injury time Biggins was booked for an awful foul on Charles and there was as scuffle that followed, but once it calmed down the final whistle sounded to confirm Bromley had made it twenty games unbeaten.

This was a cruel outcome for Newport, who dominated the match for long spell, but it also showed Bromley’s promotion credentials, winning when under the cosh.

The Ravens now face Colchester United at home on Saturday looking to maintain their place at the top of the table and the unbeaten home record.                                    

Newport: Wright, Davies, Baker, Jenkins (Smith 38, Baker-Richardson 90), Thomas, Evans (Nyakuhwa 90), Sprangler, Kamwa, Biggins, Lloyd, Opoku (Crole 70).

Subs Not Used: Shephard, MacDonald, Garner.  

Bromley: Smith, Ifill (Iliunga 78), Odutayo, Debrah, Sowunmi, Pinnock, Hondermarck, Arthurs (Charles 71), Ajayi (Whitely 57), Krauhaus (Dinanga 57), Kabamba.

Subs Not Used: Evans, Medley, Long.    

Goals: Whitely 88mins 

HT 0-0 FT 0-1

Att: 3,530 

Referee: Paul Howard

Picture supplied by Bromley Football Club.