MISSILE INCIDENT NOT SO FESTIVE
LINCOLN manager Danny Cowley says he was struck by coins thrown from the crowd in a fiery stalemate at Newport.
Exiles defender Mark O’Brien saw red for a crunching challenge on former Newport striker Matt Green, sparking sour scenes at Rodney Parade.
Imps captain Luke Waterfall went close but they failed to make their man advantage count and secure the three points that would have taken them into the top three.
“It’s a really good crowd and a great atmosphere,” said Cowley.
“They really get behind their team – we were getting pelted verbally and physically. “They were throwing coins at us. “I’ve got about £1.20 in my pocket now so I’ll go and have a can of coke with that.
“But they were a partisan crowd, fighting hard for their team, and I respect that, but not the other bits.
“We didn’t play well enough to win and that’s what we’re disappointed about.
“If you’re soft here, you’ll lose. If you come with a big ego, you’ll lose.
“But we’ve got a really honest, hardworking group and a physically competitive group, so we knew we’d be ok in those areas.”
An uneventful opening period almost came to life after 16 minutes when Frank Nouble engineered a yard of space to cross for Shawn McCoulsky, who flashed a shot just wide.
Lincoln defender Sam Habergham could only find the gloves of County goalkeeper Joe Day with a free-kick before the Imps had a golden opportunity to take the lead.
Neal Eardley sparked a counter-attack with an inch-perfect pass to Nathan Arnold but the winger failed to beat Day with the goal gaping.
Some more heroics from Day kept the scores level after Imps skipper Waterfall rose highest to guide a header towards the bottom corner.
The visitors then received a huge boost when O’Brien was shown a red card after he scythed down Green.
Matty Dolan almost found the net with a trademark free-kick as the clock ticked past 80 minutes but his effort brushed the crossbar on the way over and the game ended without a goal.
Newport manager Mike Flynn revealed post-match that his club will likely appeal O’Brien’s dismissal.
“It was never a sending off. Not by a mile. It was a foul and a yellow card,” he said.
“He has not gone in two-footed and it’s a yellow card at best.
“I’ll have a look at the challenge again and speak to the club but we’ll probably appeal against it.
“I’m happy with a point. I thought that was our best performance of the season.
“We were the better team with ten men and in the first-half.
“They are good players. They work hard and they do not know when they are beaten.They were outstanding.”