Edinburgh upset by Shrews’ reaction
NEWPORT County manager Justin Edinburgh was elated with a point at Shrewsbury Town but a late red card for Andrew Hughes left a bitter taste in the mouth.
Newport frustrated the high-flying Shrews, just as they had Tranmere Rovers in midweek.
But Edinburgh was left fuming by Hughes’ straight red for a challenge on James Wesolowski on 85 minutes.
“I was disappointed by the reaction of the Shrewsbury players when the tackle was made,” said the Exiles boss.
“There had been similar types of tackles in the game where our players didn’t react so that disappointed me.
“It made it hard for the referee and I’m not sure if it was the right decision if I’m honest.
“We’ll look at the video and decide if we feel we should appeal the decision.
“It was a well contested game but I didn’t see anything that merited that sort of reaction.”
Edinburgh handed a shock start to 16-year-old defender Regan Poole, who has already attracted the interest of Manchester United.
And the youngster looked the part at the heart of the visitors’ defence.
“Special praise has to go to young Regan Poole, coming in and making his debut at 16 and I thought he was outstanding,” added Edinburgh.
“He looked accom- plished and showed what a future he’s got ahead of him.”
Shrews boss Micky Mellon, who had seen his side win five out of five at home before Saturday, was less than happy.
The hosts enjoyed the more clear-cut chances but found visiting goalkeeper Joe Day in outstanding form as he pulled of a string of superb saves to earn the Welshmen a point.
Day, on loan from Peterborough United, saved at point-blank range from Louis Akpa-Akpro in the first half.
And he was in fabulous form after the break, clawing one effort from substitute Ashley Vincent off the line and denying Jermaine Grandison at the death.
“We felt that we were getting a bit overrun in midfield; we weren’t physical enough and we felt we had to get a grip of things and get people up against their three centrebacks,” said Mellon, who threw on Vincent, James Collins and Anthony Griffith in the second half.
“We went for it because we always try to win every game we take part in but we never scored today.
“I’m not satisfied with the point.We wanted to win six out of six but you’ve got to look for the positives.”
The next one is a home tie against Championship outfit Norwich City on Tuesday night.