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CARETAKER manager Michael Flynn says his Newport County side did themselves proud as they gave promotion-chasing Portsmouth an almighty scare at Fratton Park.

Goals either side of half-time from Kyle Bennett and Kal Naismith put Pompey in charge.

But Alex Samuel gave Newport hope with a close range header from Sean Rigg’s cross 15 minutes from time.

And the visitors almost forced a draw with a sustained period of pressure in the closing stages.

“Let’s be honest, we didn’t start playing until we went 2-0 down,” said Flynn, who also felt his side should have had a penalty for a foul on Samuel before the break.

“We had a clear-cut penalty that we should have had in the first half.

“They boys were convinced it was a penalty and when you come to places like Fratton Park you need that bit of luck.

“I was disappointed with the goals we conceded but again the effort was there from the lads and we finished strong.

“I think if there was another five or 10 minutes in the game we would have got the draw.

“I thought we had three big chances at the end and we should have taken one of them but the boys kept going and they were outstanding in the end.”

The first goal arrived after Ryan Bird gave up possession in the centre circle and Carl Baker picked out Bennett with a superb throughball before his fellow midfielder finished through Joe Day’s legs.

Naismith then doubled the hosts’ advantage just before the hour with a free header from substitute Conor Chaplin’s cross.

That appeared to be that before Samuel headed in Sean Rigg’s centre to spark a nervy end to the game but Paul Cook’s Pompey held on.

It ended a remarkable run of four successive league wins at Fratton Park for Newport but they again showed that they will not be going down without a fight.

“This is a very good Portsmouth team and I’m certain they’ll go up this season,” added Flynn, whose side remain six points from safety in 23rd.

“But Cookie was ments. full of compli-

“He thought we’d given them a right scare and he couldn’t wait for the final whistle at the end of the game.

“The boys did themselves proud, they kept going and that’s all I can ask of them.

“It’s a difficult position that we’re in but they are fighting and we’ll carry on fighting.”