Newport County continued their impressive home form at Rodney Parade by winning 2-1, inflicting Grimsby Town's first League Two defeat of the season.

The Exiles had to remain disciplined in a cagey first half with few clear-cut chances but were clinical after the break.

Both Shaquille Gwengwe and Iwan Morgan passed up early opportunities, but experienced striker Christian Doidge made no mistake when his chance arrived.

Cameron Norman's interception midway inside the Grimsby half saw the ball break kindly to Doidge on the edge of the area. The forward skipped past a defender before calmly firing beyond Christy Pym to give Newport the lead.

Having scored with their first shot on target, County doubled their advantage with their second.

Harrison Biggins' corner was headed back across goal by Ciaran Brennan and Gwengwe was on hand to nod home from close range for his first goal in six games.

Newport's organised defence had limited Grimsby throughout the opening period, with Jordan Wright only called into action by efforts from Mark Shelton and Charles Vernam.

Long balls proved County's most effective route forward. On-loan winger Michael Adu-Poku raced onto Norman's lofted pass but Gwengwe could not sort his feet out after being picked out in the box.

Grimsby's best chance fell to Morgan, who fired wide from Kieran Green's pass in front of watching family members at a Rodney Parade family affair.

After the interval, Newport were much more expansive and looked good value for the points.

Pym produced an excellent double save to deny Biggins a third before the visitors pulled one back in the 83rd minute when Justin Amaluzor's dangerous delivery squirmed under Wright, with the final touch appearing to come off the Newport goalkeeper.

Despite the late scare, County held firm to secure their first league victory since the opening day and continue their strong start under Mullins at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles will hope to collect their first three points on the road at Gillingham next week, meanwhile David Artell's side will look to get back to winning ways at home to Shrewsbury on Saturday 3 October.

Newport County boss Hayden Mullins told BBC Sport Wales:

"We tweaked a few things, changed a few bits in the second half, and I felt we looked really comfortable.

"We defended really well, we looked strong in our shape, and we also looked to threaten on the counter-attack.

"Michael Adu-Poku's pace and Yaya [Bamba] when he came on added to Tan, who's away as well.

"It gives us really good options. We're grateful for what we got in the group, and it was a strong showing in the second half.

"I'm pleased that we got the win and we can move on to next week now and attack that game."

Grimsby manager David Artell said:

"If you don't take your chances, you don't win games of football.

"We've had enough chances there to win probably two games of football. We haven't taken them, and we got punished for two lapses.

"I don't know what we limited their xG to, but I can't imagine it'll be very high.

"The grass is ridiculously long. I think the length of the grass has probably made it quicker. The grass has sort of done him [Iwan Morgan], really."