Kevin is one Ell of a sub for Shrimps

NEWPORT manager Michael Flynn was left counting the cost of a defensive gaffe as County drew with Morecambe.

Padraig Amond fired County ahead inside a minute at Rodney Parade, but Kevin Ellison took advantage of a defensive mistake from Tyler Forbes to secure a point, notching his sixth goal against the Welsh club.

“It is two points dropped, let’s not dress it up. We should have been out of sight,” said Flynn.

“There was a little bit of sloppiness in defence that allowed Kevin to get his annual goal against us.

“It is frustrating because we missed too many chances. We should have buried them. There was only one team that should have won that game.”

Amond had taken less than a minute to give County the lead when he headed home after a mere 27 seconds. Morecambe had barely had a touch of the ball before the Irish striker gave the game a sensational start.

Barry Roche in the Morecambe goal had already saved a Robbie Willmott piledriver before the ball bounced in front of goal and Amond grabbed the goal. It was just the start that fourth-placed County needed and put them on course to notch their first win at home over the Lancashire club since returning to the Football League in 2013.

But 39-year-old Ellison made the most of a gilt-edged chance handed to him by a terrible defensive gaffe by Forbes that left him free inside the area. He took his time before stroking home past Joe Day to level the scores in the 77th minute.

Morecambe manager Jim Bentley left Wales delighted at stealing a point and seeing his side grow into the game after conceding a goal within 30 seconds.

“It was a shocking start; we weathered the storm and then got the goal in the end when we got the rub of the green,” said Bentley.

“After only 30 seconds we were one goal down and it could easily have gone to 2-0, but we stuck in there.”

And Bentley had a special mention for goalscorer Ellison.

“I asked him to keep up his record of always scoring against Newport,” the boss said.

“What a fantastic player to bring off the bench. The home fans were booing him as he came onto the field, but he loves it.”