STOCKPORT CO 1 NEWPORT CO 0
NEWPORT County manager Graham Coughlan insisted that “nonsense” refereeing cost his side once again after Saturday’s last-gasp defeat at Stockport County.
A stunning performance from goalkeeper Nick Townsend looked to have earned the Exiles an unexpected point against the odds at second-placed Stockport.
But after saving a late Paddy Madden penalty, Townsend was finally beaten in the 93rd minute when Madden volleyed home following a controversial free-kick.
It was a similar story the previous week when Coughlan felt his side should have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up to Mansfield Town’s winner as the leaders took all three points at Rodney Parade.
Successive defeats leave the Exiles in 13th, six points below the League Two play-off places, and the manager could not hide his frustration.
“Our lads gave everything,” said Coughlan. “Yes, Stockport were the better team, and they are up that end of the table for a reason.
“The pressure was relentless, but our lads stood tall. We didn’t have a particularly good game with the ball but defensively we were organised and structured, while Nick Townsend was outstanding.
“The good teams get decisions and breaks of the ball. On the whole Stockport deserved to win, let’s have that right, but I just thought we deserved our clean sheet given the defensive structure, organisation and commitment that the lads showed.
“It was a really hard one to take when for the same incident a free-kick was given against Aaron Wildig, and this one was given to Stockport and led to the goal.
“I can’t get away from the
standard of officiating and it is week in, week out. It’s absolute nonsense and hard to accept.”
County failed to test the Mansfield goalkeeper in their previous match, and it was the same again against the Hatters.
Coughlan’s men managed just three shots at Edgeley Park, with two on target, and failed to seriously worry Ben Hinchliffe.
“It was a difficult afternoon,” admitted Coughlan. “We weren’t great with the ball and didn’t create an awful lot.
“We were looking for one or two moments but we weren’t decisive when we got on the back of them. We weren’t clinical.
“Stockport deserved to win because they were the better team and had more chances but when you are in a game like that you dig deep, bite down on your gumshield and try to get out of here with a clean sheet.
“They are a good enough team and club without getting assistance from the officials. Our players deserve better, because they are an honest bunch.”
Coughlan’s men will hope to bounce back quickly and keep the top seven within their reach when they host fellow play-off hopefuls Morecambe tomorrow night.