County denied at the death
NEWPORT County manager Warren Feeney insisted there were signs of improvement from his newlook team despite the bitter disappointment of conceding a 93rd-minute winner against Mansfield Town at Rodney Parade.
It was a 12th game without a win for the Exiles as they started the new League Two season as they ended the last campaign.
Feeney, who has made 14 new signings during the summer, started 10 new boys alongside goalkeeper Joe Day but was left with a familiar feeling of disappointment at the final whistle.
His side had looked set to claim a point after twice coming from behind to level.
Winger Jack Compton cancelled out Matt Green’s opener with a sublime free-kick in the first half and after the break Joss Labadie bundled in after Danny Rose had restored the Stags lead.
But Kevan Hurst’s curled effort from the edge of the area at the death deceived Day and meant all that hard work counted for nothing.
“It’s a cruel way to start the season,” said Feeney. “I thought we played very well in the first half.
“We set the tempo and then went behind against the run of play but showed great character to get back into the game.
“They started the better in the second half and got the goal but once we got the equaliser I thought there was only going to be one winner.”
Feeney felt former Cardiff City right-back Jazzi Barnum-Bobb was at fault for the winner.
“When you’ve got a player (Hurst) who is right footed and playing on the left you’ve got to show him down the left but we will learn from these mistakes,” he said.
“I’m gutted for my players because I thought there was enough in the changing room to get the win.
“To get done the way we did, I don’t know if it was a cross or a shot, is a very bitter pill to swallow.
“There were some decent performances from us but I expect that,” he added.
“I’m pleased with parts of our game but to concede the way we did is very disappointing.
“But it’s a new team and it will take time and it’s a big improvement from last season.”
The Exiles host League One MK Dons in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night before travelling to Leyton Orient in League Two next Saturday in search of a first win since March. COUNTY: Day; Butler, Turley, Bennett, Barnum-Bobb; MyrieWilliams (Tozer, 71), Labadie, Randall, Compton; Rigg, Jackson BOOKED: Labadie, Randall REFEREE: Robert Jones ATTENDANCE: 2,790