Exeter City kept their playoff hopes alive as a David Wheeler goal 13 minutes from time and a late Ryan Harley penalty gave the Grecians a 2-0 win over promotion rivals Newport County at St James' Park.

The away side nearly took the lead early on when Adam Chapman picked out Shaun Jeffers, who dinked a ball to the back post that was clawed away by James Hamon.

The rebound fell to a Newport man, however, and it was only a last minute block from Jordan Moore-Taylor that kept the scores level.

Graham Cummins then nodded a corner inches wide midway through the first half, before Lee Holmes stung the hands of Joe Day with a fierce drive from range.

A mix-up in the Exeter defence allowed Yan Klukowski space to shoot just before the break, but the midfielder's effort struck the upright.

Hamon had to be alert to keep the score level after the restart as a quickly taken free kick sent Mark Byrne through on goal, with the Exeter goalkeeper forced into a smart save.

Substitute Wheeler then put his side ahead when his low strike found its way under the body of Day and into the back of the Newport net.

The home side spent much of the final minutes of the game defending on the edge of their area, but doubled their lead when a quick counter-attack ended with Ismail Yakubu bringing Wheeler down in the box.

The Newport defender was sent off for the challenge, and Harley made no mistake with the spot kick to wrap up the win.