Newport County were forced to settle for a point as they were held to a goalless draw at Gillingham.

The Exiles created the better chances, with defenders Matty Jacob and Lee Jenkins missing golden opportunities to win the game in the first half.

Gillingham struggled to carve out opportunities against a pragmatic County, with Harry Waldock coming closest to breaking the deadlock when he whistled past the post.

Hayden Mullins' side are now unbeaten in their last five games and sit 15th, three points behind their hosts in 10th.

The visitors started strongly and created a host of early chances, with Watford loanee Michael Adu Poku's bending strike cleared off the line before an unmarked Jenkins headed over minutes later.

The hosts struggled to contain County in the early exchanges, with Waldock's effort their only opportunity of note.

Despite seeing less of the ball, Newport continued to apply pressure; the lively Adu Poku forced a save from Southampton loanee keeper Oliver Wright, and Jacob couldn't convert the rebound from a tight angle.

The Exiles, who were without top goal scorer Shaquille Gwengwe, would have been disappointed not to be in front after an impressive first half performance and were almost punished midway through the second half.

The impressive Waldock set up Ronan Hale after a neat move, but the Northern Ireland international's strike was blocked by Jenkins.

Cameron Norman came closest to finding a winner when his powerful free kick was saved by Wright to ensure that the spoils were shared in Kent.

It is now back-to-back away clean sheets for the Exiles, as they pick up their second away point of the season.