FLYNN FURY AT PENALTY SNUB
MIKE Flynn hit out at referee Thomas Bramall for failing to award his Newport County team a first-half penalty as they were edged out by Cambridge United.
Declan Drysdale scored the only goal in the 79th minute at Rodney Parade as United strengthened their grip on automatic promotion by moving to the summit.
But Newport manager Flynn was furious Bramall didn’t point to the spot after what he thought was handball by Cambridge midfielder Wes Hoolahan in the first half. The incident took place right on the edge of the box after Aaron Lewis’ cross, but former Norwich and Ireland man Hoolahan’s hands were raised.
“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.”
Newport dominated the first half, but struggled to create clear-cut chances and they have dropped to seventh after one win from their last seven games.
Flynn added: “It’s a tough one to take. The boys are working so hard and are really disappointed, so hopefully we will get the rub of the green before the end of the season.”
Wales midfielder Josh Sheehan had a shot saved and Cambridge goalkeeper Callum Burton also denied Lewis in the first half, but Flynn’s side failed to create clear opportunities.
Newport’s Nick Townsend denied Joe Ironside from close range.
Burton denied Kevin Ellison and Sheehan after the break, but Ironside struck a post with a close-range effort.
County also appealed for a penalty when Sheehan struck powerfully at goal. Drysdale blocked that shot and then almost immediately went up the other end to score.
Drysdale came up trumps with the winner – his first career goal – from Hoolahan’s free-kick to the back post.
Cambridge boss Mark Bonner said he felt the first-half incident with Hoolahan had been outside the box.
He added: “This was our 22nd win and that shows we’ve done well. That’s not being arrogant. 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, defend and we got the all-important goal. It’s a massive, massive win and we gave as good as we got.
“The game was very complex, well balanced, and interesting tactically. We didn’t expect Newport to play as they did. Our work ethic was outstanding.”