NEWPORT County AFC manager Warren Feeney admitted he had mixed emotions after seeing his side earn 1-1 draw at home to Crewe Alexandra.

A Sean Rigg header on 82 minutes cancelled out Alex Kiwomya’s 16th-minute stunner to earn County a point.

But Feeney felt they could have had all three after a much-improved second half showing.

“I’m pleased with a point but I’m also disappointed because I thought we gave ourselves a mountain to climb in the first half,” said the Exiles boss, who took off Jordan Green immediately after the opening goal.

“It was a silly goal that we gave away,” he added. “Jordan’s tried to turn with it on the halfway line when he didn’t have control and we should have dealt with it better but, to be fair to the kid [Kiwomya], it’s a wonder strike.

“But if you look at the second half we camped in their half and they changed their formation not to get beat, which is a big compliment to us.

“My players dug deep and they’re disappointed they didn’t win it.”

But Feeney again stated his belief that his new-look team is better than last year's version.

"I’m disappointed we didn’t get the three points but at the end of the day, coming from behind, it’s a point on the board," he said.

"I think last season we would have lost that game.

"I’m pleased with the boys. We could have lost that easy and it would have been doom and gloom but to come back and get that point [is great].

"It’s another point on the board and I said I want to start better than they did last year – six points from 12 games.

"We should be on six points now – we should have taken a point against Mansfield and against Luton – but football is a cruel game.

"We should be sat here with six points. We’re not but I’ll take not getting beat. It’s a point gained after midweek."