JUSTIN Edinburgh admitted his overriding feeling after Monday’s 1-1 draw with Cambridge United was disappointment, despite an excellent display by his side, writes Michael Pearlman.

The Exiles were almost entirely dominant at Rodney Parade but went behind to Cambridge’s first shot on goal after missing a litany of chances.

And it wasn’t until the 89th minute that the Exiles finally made the breakthrough and rescued a point, though they left the field to a rousing ovation and with the home fans happy at a splendid display where Newport went a long way to banishing the notion they are a long ball team.

However, Edinburgh isn’t happy with a draw despite acknowledging the quality of the display.

“It was the least we deserved, our performances are improving all the time and if we’d come out of the game with nothing it would’ve been a travesty,” he confirmed.

“But even still, I am bitterly disappointed to only come away with a point. It is my job as manager to make sure the players aren’t happy to just play well but not win the game.

“When we reflect on this game in a few days, we are going to be very disappointed that we haven’t won, because we showed great character and bravery in possession of the ball.”

Edinburgh admitted he couldn’t fault the display, aside from County’s finishing.

“It was a good performance from the edge of our box up to and including our balls into their box, we were the best we’ve been for a long, long time,” he said.

“We need to be more clinical and that’s the only thing letting us down right now is a ruthless edge in the opposition box.

“We don’t have that now but I believe in the players that it will come and it would’ve been harsh on Tuesday had my players walked off defeated.

“We’ve been improving throughout the season, the results will come with the performances, if we play like we did on Tuesday there is no way we will keep on picking up draws, we are going to win games.

“The players have a good shape about them, we are working hard on the training ground and we look good, we have good width and I wouldn’t want to be marking either Robbie Willmott or Ryan Jackson.

“With Adam Chapman and Mark Byrne in the side we can switch play very quickly and get that transition where we are one-on-one in the wide areas and we’ve got some good balls into the box, but we need to work on that final finish.”