Flynn’s rage at ref call

Newport County Cambridge Utd

MIKE FLYNN hit out at referee Thomas Bramall for failing to award Newport a first-half penalty as Cambridge’s victory took them top.

Declan Drysdale scored the only goal in the 79th minute as United strengthened their grip on automatic promotion.

But Newport manager Flynn was furious Bramall did not point to the spot after what he thought was a handball by Cambridge’s Wes Hoolahan in the first half.

“It’s frustrating. We were the better team, but we made a bad mistake and there was a bad refereeing decision,” said Flynn. “With the one in the first half, he may as well have put gloves on. It’s an awful decision. Not finishing the chances we create is the story of the second half of our season.

“We have good attacking players, but decision-making costs us. We are just coming up short at the moment.”

Cambridge boss Mark Bonner felt the first-half incident with Hoolahan had been outside the box after his team’s 11th away win of the season.

“This was our 22nd win and that shows we’ve done well. That’s not being arrogant,” he said. “We know we have gone top and are in control. It’s in our hands now.

“We knew how hard it was going to be coming here so I’m delighted to get the result.

“We had to dig in and defend and we got the all-important goal. It’s a massive, massive win and we gave as good as we got.”