When Christian Doidge limped off after just nine minutes of Newport County's League Two match against Colchester United on 10 October, Exiles supporters may have feared the worst.

County were yet to win a game without the 34-year-old striker featuring this season.

Cue two Cardiff City loanees to ease those concerns.

First Tanatswa Nyakuhwa scored the late winner against Colchester. Then, on Saturday, his cross created the opening for fellow Bluebirds loanee Kion Etete to mark his Newport debut with a goal as they battled back to a 1-1 draw with York City.

Etete had not scored a league goal since Cardiff's 2-1 Championship win over Stoke City in February 2024 but needed less than two minutes on the pitch to find the net in amber.

Newport boss Hayden Mullins was delighted to see the striker making an immediate impact after only three days training with his new team.

"It was pleasing that Kion came in and got his first goal," said Mullins.

"We wanted to get him on the left because we knew with the crossing from the right, we might get an opportunity with Kion. He's a very good size and adds to us as a threat."

That was exactly what happened as Nyakuhwa's pinpoint delivery to the back post from the right was met by Etete, who powered home the equaliser.

With Doidge facing a spell on the sidelines while awaiting a scan on a groin injury, Etete's introduction has provided Newport with another attacking option.

"Meeting Kion for the first time, I think he's hungry to do well. You can see it in him," added Mullins.

"He's probably not played as much football as he would have liked, so we're getting a player who is ready to go.

"We had to be a little bit careful with him because he's been injured, so the plan was always to start him off the bench.

"He's come on, put himself around, thrown himself into tackles and looked 100% into the cause. It's exactly what we need."

For the visit of York City to Rodney Parade, Mullins named both Etete and Ged Garner among the substitutes, leaving midfielder Aaron Lewis out of the matchday squad.

Shaquille Gwengwe led the line and came close to breaking the deadlock when his header crashed against the crossbar late in the first half.

The decision to load the bench with attacking options paid dividends as Newport pushed for a winner after the break.

"We needed to get players on the pitch and around their 18-yard box," said Mullins.

"That's the reason we brought Ged on as well as Kion and Shaq. We ended up with three centre-forwards because we knew the ball was going into that area and hoped those guys would sniff something out.

"Shaq was really unlucky to hit the bar. Kion did well, he'll add to us along with Ged and Shaq."

Despite his dream debut, both Mullins and Etete stressed patience will be needed as the 24-year-old builds up his fitness.

"I've only had about three days of training, so I'm just trying to build up to 90 minutes and progress," said Etete.

"The gaffer knows I have faith in his decisions. Whatever minutes I can play, I'll do what I can for the team.

"It's a team effort. Whether you start on the bench or on the pitch, everyone's together and we need to win games as a team."

Etete believes maintaining that collective spirit will be key if Newport are to continue their strong run.

"You have goal droughts. Things happen - injuries, not playing, whatever - but the main thing is having that hunger and belief that the next goal will come," he said.

"Everyone's minds have to be open, and we need to stay together. From what I've seen coming in, it's a really good group.

"We need to be hungry to win. We showed in the second half that we wanted to win the game, but the main thing is not losing."

Mullins echoed those sentiments as his side now turn their attention to a trip to Rotherham United on Tuesday 20 October (1945 BST) where they will hope to make it nine unbeaten in all competitions.

"I'm happy with the players and how they've taken on board the information," he said.

"I think there's a disappointment in there as well. We expect to win these games of football now, which is really good.

"There are lots of positives to build on and we'll be looking forward to Tuesday."