This was a point gained not three spilled in the eyes of charged Exiles' chief Christian Fuchs.
In an ultimately intriguing contest which saw the Port and play-off hopefuls Grimsby miss second-half spot kicks, former Austrian international skipper and Leicester City Premiership title and FA Cup winner Fuchs only saw positives.
Nathan Opoku saw his low penalty brilliantly saved by Mariners' keeper Jackson Smith on the hour - this preluding County keeper Jordan Wright frustrating his old club by stopping Charles Vernan's spot-kick in the 74th minute.
Borrowed Barnsley gloveman Smith foiled County substitute Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and ball-winner Ciaran Brennan late on - so with Shrewsbury crashing at Colchester, the Exiles could easily have grabbed the victory that would have lifted them off the League Two trap door.
After solidly blocking out nine first-half corners, Fuchs was delighted with the overall show declaring, "Grimsby probably got the better of us in the first half. But we defended really strongly. We defended every set piece.
"The second half we were a little bit more on the front foot, a bit more brave. We created a fair amount of chances."
On the disputed penalty that was awarded when County skipper Matt Baker upended Grimsby attacker Jaze Kabia in the box, Fuchs reflected, "Mistakes will happen, but then who is the next one to rectify them? I think the boys really stepped up after the penalty save. I was proud of the way we defended, a point was well deserved."
Fuchs refused to blame Opoku for his miss from 12 yards and admitted no particular Port player had been designated to take a penalty - if one was awarded.
He said, "I gave the players that responsibility. If they feel good at that moment, they will take them. He [Opoku] took responsibility, okay, it didn't pay off. But this happened on the other side as well.
"We kept on the front foot [after the penalty miss] and made more than enough chances to score many goals."
Fuchs piled to the praise on his fellow countryman Sven Sprangler, a linkman snapped up from Scottish Championship club St Johnstone and Merthyr Town utility player Cole Jarvis - both snapped up late in the January window.
He said, " They had brilliant games. Sven might not be that obvious, but the way he positions himself, he is always in a good space to receive the ball."
On Jarvis, Fuchs boomed, "He has been great. I have seen him in training already. He is so composed. He is well built and is definitely a good acquisition too the team."
Fuchs purred over County's improved show, reflecting, "Today it was all about resilience. Every time we have a bad game like in Bristol, we bounce back. It was a bit scrappy in the first half perhaps. But the boys stayed focussed and showed discipline. We knew with a bit of patience we'd get our chances. we went a little bit more direct second half, with balls in behind to turn them.
"From this game there was a lot of positives to take away against a side like Grimsby, who are also pretty direct. physical and are up there in the table."
Almost 4,000 flooded into NP19, a decent gate, despite the volatile weather and Fuchs reflected, "We need to show respect to the fans. Win, lose or draw they come to the stadium and show us support. The atmosphere after the penalty save [Wright] was phenomenal. From that moment they helped us so much. We all need to be together as one - us and the fans."
