A flurry of late goals at the Newport Stadium helped runaway Blue Square South leaders Newport County to a 5-0 romp on Saturday as the Saints slipped to their heaviest league defeat for 16 months.

Steve Castle's side comfortably held their own for the opening 45 minutes but trailed at the interval to Gary Warren's 23^rd minute goal. City were none too pleased that the goal was allowed to stand after Paul Bastock looked too be impeded.

Craig Reid strengthened his position as the top scorer in Blue Square South with two excellent finishes and added gloss was put on the result with further goals in added time from influential substitute Sam Foley and left-back Jamie Collins.

A bad day for the Saints was compounded by four players picking up bookings and to make matters worse Paul Bastock and Peter Smith adding their names to City's injury list. James Quilter came through the 90 minutes despite his knee problems but Solomon Shields failed a fitness test prior to the game.

City gave a debut to 22-year-old former Stevenage Borough, AFC Wimbledon and Canvey Island striker Chris Sullivan, while another new signing, Harry Wheeler, 21, was an unused substitute.

Newport County: G.Thompson, P.Bignot, J.Collins, S.Rogers (A.Morris 84), G.Warren, C.Todd, D.Rose, C.Henry (A.Nicholls 57), C.Reid, D.Gilroy (S.Foley 57), K.Morgan, subs; P.Cochlin, K.Blackburn.

St Albans City: P.Bastock, J.Quilter, P.Smith (J.Clayton 71), R.Magwood, A.Everitt, R.Frater, J.Fisher, D.Johnson (R.Dedman 75), G.Cohen, D.Roberts, C.Sullivan, subs; A.McLachlan, H.Wheeler, A.McWeeney.

Goals: 1-0 Warren 23, 2-0 Reid 68, 3-0 Reid 82, 4-0 Foley 90, 5-0 Collins 90.

Bookings: Todd, Rose, Johnson, Magwood, Smith, Cohen.

Referee: Andy Newell (North Yate).

Att: 1,412.