Michael Flynn admits George Nurse’s stoppage time screamer was harsh on visitors Carlisle United but praised Newport County AFC’s defensive tenacity to maintain a clean sheet and give themselves a chance to win the game late on.
The Exiles didn’t register a shot on target until deep into the second half but even that wasn’t too testing for Adam Collin who held a deflected Josh Sheehan strike.
With captain Joss Labadie missing with an ankle problem, County failed to gather too much momentum in midfield, allowing Carlisle talisman Jack Bridge to dictate the play although Hallam Hope and Mike Jones failed to hit the target with opportunities.
The longer the contest stayed 0-0, the more chance one goal was going to win it and County scored their sixth goal past the 75th minute mark when Nurse thundered a shot into the top corner with the last play of the game.
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Flynn affirmed: “It’s always a nice time to win the game [in stoppage time] but in all honesty, we were really poor second half and Carlisle were the better team.
“It was a little bit harsh on Carlisle, I have a lot of time and respect for Steven Pressley and its bittersweet for us because we didn’t deserve it. A draw probably would have been a fair result.
“The important thing was keeping the clean sheet because it always gave us that platform to, if we could get a goal, then we’d go on and win the game. The boys defended so well.
“It’s starting to become a slogan now that we’ll fight until the end. It’s nice to have the three points.”
County are next in action against Exeter City in the Leasing.Com Trophy on Tuesday but now have a rare weekend off with the Cheltenham Town match being postponed due to international call-ups.
Explaining the decision to have the match postponed, Flynn continued: “For one, we’ve got three players missing on international duty.
“People might say it’s only one regular but I’m missing the right back meaning I would have had to play Robbie Willmott there.
“Daniel Leadbitter has had an operation so he’s out. It allows me to get Ryan Inniss back up to speed.
“Dan has had a clean out of the knee. He had a knee injury before he signed for us but it’s the other knee now. This one has just been an unfortunate one, it was a routine operation but it’s looking likely to be eight weeks.
“When we play Cheltenham [in the rearranged fixture], Mickey Demetriou might be fit as well and Joss Labadie. There were a load of things that come into it and its footballing reasons. Hopefully it pays off.
“I could have four very big players back for us.”
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NEXT UP | County host Exeter City on Tuesday night in the Leasing.Com Trophy at Rodney Parade. Stay tuned to the Club’s social media channels for confirmation of ticket details.
LEAGUE TWO | With the Cheltenham Town game postponed, the next opportunity to see the Exiles in League Two action will be 19th October when they host Scunthorpe United. Tickets to be made available online soon.