IT was a case of friends reunited at Rodney Parade as Accrington Stanley extended their unbeaten run to five games with a third successive victory.

Billy Kee and Josh Windass, who forged a prolific partnership before Christmas, scored the goals as the Reds won 2-0 against Newport County to mark a first start for Windass after an injury lay-off of over two months.

The pair struck in the space of two first half minutes to hand Stanley a first away win over the Welsh side.

It was a front foot start from the Reds, who could have been in front inside the opening five minutes. A low Windass cross from the right found Kee, his initial shot was saved well by the legs of goalkeeper Joe Day before the rebound was hooked out by Janoi Donacien as Kee looked to pull the trigger again.

John Coleman’s team then made chances from two corners. The first was headed over by Tom Davies before a second was nodded wide at the far post by Matty Pearson when the full back was unmarked to meet Sean McConville’s delivery.

Goals had been in short supply for the hosts but as time wore on they began to pose more of a threat to the Stanley goal. Scott Barrow was close to threading top scorer Scott Boden in before Boden flicked on a Barrow cross to Jake Gosling and his low strike was turned round the post by Ross Etheridge for a corner.

This season Kee has been the man to rely upon to provide goals for the Reds and this game was no exception, with the striker breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute.

Much of the credit must go to Pearson, who intercepted the ball inside his own half and burst to the edge of the box before exchanging passes with Kee.

The full back’s shot was pushed out by Day but he collected again on the right and crossed - the goalkeeper couldn’t hold on and Kee drilled in his 17th of the season from the edge of the six yard box.

Less than two minutes later it was two. Windass had been absent since January with injury but showed no rustiness when he doubled Stanley’s advantage. The returning forward met Piero Mingoia’s right wing cross with a fine volley from close range to leave Day with no chance.

After the break the Welsh side looked to get themselves back into contention and though they put pressure on the visitors they were unable to craft a clear chance.

Instead Windass continued to take centre stage, thwarted by Day racing off his line as he latched onto a Kee pass before curling an effort from the right side narrowly wide of the left post.

It was his last contribution, with the man on his way to Rangers in the summer replaced by Rommy Boco.

The substitute then picked out Mingoia who shot wide as the Reds sought a third as County attempted to test Etheridge.

Gosling had the keeper beaten with a late free kick but when that flew over the top it was their last chance to wrestle themselves back into contention.

A late deflected Kee strike could have made the victory more emphatic but the damage had been done as the Reds extended their good run.

STANLEY (4-2-3-1): Ross Etheridge; Brad Halliday, Mark Hughes, Tom Davies, Matty Pearson; Scott Brown, Seamus Conneely; Piero Mignoia, Sean McConville (Tariqe Fosu 73), Josh Windass (Rommy Boco 71); Billy Kee. Subs not used: Jason Mooney, Andy Procter, Andy Little, Terry Gornell, Adam Buxton.