ROSS Stephens scored twice at New Bridge Meadow, as Newtown made vital inroads in the race for 10th spot.


The Robins could have been forgiven for asking the Welsh Premier for a postponement after their bus broke down en route.


The league’s farcical decision to postpone Bala Town’s match with Llanelli the previous weekend would certainly have been highlighted in such an event.


A top 10 finish has been regarded essential all season, and with the finishing line now in sight league mainstays Newtown, Carmarthen Town, Haverfordwest County, Bangor City and Gap Connahs Quay have been drawn into a race for qualification, with ambitious newcomers Prestatyn Town, Airbus UK Broughton and Bala Town.


The Robins must still face six of the aforementioned foes in their final 13 games, as the fateful 2010 campaign comes to a climax.


Avoiding defeat in Pembrokeshire was essential for Darren Ryan’s men and thanks to Stephens’ last gasp winner the Robins could celebrate a crucial away victory.


Stephens put the Robins ahead after just 10 minutes, as a result of a threaded throughball from strike partner Paul Roberts, with his fellow forward finishing with aplomb.


County were stunned into attack by the early setback, and proceeded to dominate with veteran Tom Ramasut influential.


Ramasut ballooned over while well positioned, while Newtown had an escape when Jack Christopher's strike was ruled offside.


Newtown endured spells of sustained pressure, as County looked to level before half-time, only for Gavin Cadwallader to emerge as a brick wall in the visiting defence.


Newtown survived another anxious moment on the stroke of half-time, when Nick Woodrow curled against the bar.


With Newtown maintaining a solid defence of their early lead, home manager Derek Brazil introduced Josh Hartrick and Steff Williams to stretch the visitors.


The changes drew dividends as County hit back on 72 minutes, after Hartrick was fouled on the right wing, with the resulting free-kick from Chris O'Sullivan headed home by Christopher.


Newtown were not to be denied a point, but with seconds remaining Stephens raced onto a clearance and flicked a superb lob over a stranded Lee Idzi, to snatch a last gasp victory.

HAVERFORDWEST: Idzi, T Evans (Grimes), Dodds, Graves, Elliott, Bradford (Hartrick), O'Sullivan, Ramasut, Woodrow (S Williams), Christopher, Hudgell

NEWTOWN: D Roberts, Williams, Worton, Hutchinson, Cadwallader, Thomas, James, Blain, P Roberts, Stephens, Mitchell (Daniels). Subs: Webb, Hughes