Newport proved they could win when not at their best as they saw off Peterborough to remain in touch at the top end of the National League Three Midlands.

The men from Forton Road were short of the fabulous form they showed against South Leicester a week earlier.

But they did enough to record a creditable 27-13 victory away at lowly Peterborough – and they even ran in four tries to collect a precious bonus point.

“It was a bit of after the Lord Mayor’s show following a convincing performance against South Leicester,” said director of rugby Matt Batters.

“The showing against Peterborough lacked fluency and accuracy, but to grind out a bonus point victory whilst not playing well was a credit to the players, in a game we would probably have lost last season.”

A Jamie Simpson penalty and an Owen Evans try put Newport in front after an early Peterborough try.

A well-worked Rob Clymer try before the break extended the lead to give the visitors daylight.

The second half was as error-strewn as the first but tries from Chris Taylor and Evans getting his second – and his eighth in six starts – wrapped up the points.

“With only six points separating the top of the table and ourselves in sixth, the next four games against top half of the table sides will show whether a realistic promotion challenge is achievable,” added Batters.

Hereford remain anchored at the bottom of the table after failing to beat fellow strugglers Kenilworth at Wyeside.

A drop goal from Kenilworth’s man of the match Adam Canning three minutes from time ended Hereford’s chance of climbing off the bottom of the table.

Canning scored 23 0f Kenilworth’s 33 points while Matt Evans claimed two tries for Hereford in a hard fought contest.

By CHRIS HUDSON