Chesterfield have missed the chance to usurp Oxford United at the top of League 2 after going down 3-2 to Newport County at Rodney Parade this afternoon.

Oxford's 1-1 draw with Fleetwood Town on Saturday offered Paul Cook's men the opportunity to leapfrog them at the summit.

Nevertheless, the Spireites failed to capitalise on the slip-up and ultimately ended the contest with ten men following the dismissal of Liam Cooper on 74 minutes.

The Welsh outfit, who now sit eighth in the table, one point adrift of a playoff position, took the lead through Danny Crow after just six minutes.

Jimmy Ryan hit back for the visitors midway through the second half to preserve his team's hopes of replacing The U's at the top of England's fourth tier.

However, Cooper was dismissed for a foul on Conor Washington in the area, which allowed Adam Chapman the chance to give the Exiles the lead from 12 yards and the 24-year-old duly obliged.

Despite the numerical disadvantage Chesterfield valiantly went in search of an equaliser, but Newport countered and killed the game off in the dying stages through Andy Sandell.

Marc Richards bagged a late consolation but the home side held on to mark an impressive victory for Justin Edinburgh's men.