NEWPORT County AFC manager Warren Feeney was left doubly disappointed after today's League Two clash with Barnet was abandoned and his pursuit of striker Reuben Reid ended in failure.

Although his side were 1-0 down after John Akinde’s volleyed opener on 23 seconds, Feeney felt his side were on top before the match was halted at the interval due to a waterlogged pitch at Rodney Parade.

The incessant rain made parts of the pitch unplayable and referee Graham Salisbury called the match off after a half-time pitch inspection.

Feeney then revealed that the deal to sign Reid was dead in the water.

He had been in talks with the former Plymouth Argyle striker, a free agent, but the pair could not reach an agreement.

“That is probably dead,” said Feeney. “I spoke to Reuben but I think it’s probably gone now. I’m going to leave that.

“He’s going to look at other things but I’m not going to wait around so we’ll put that one to bed.

“He’s a great player and it’s his decision. He’s a great friend of mine and I’m sure he’ll go on to sign for a club and enjoy his football again.”

On the referee’s decision to abandon the match, Feeney said: “I’m not happy because I thought we had all the momentum.

“We made a bad start but we quickly got a foothold in the game.

“But I can understand the referee’s decision. A few times we would have been through but the ball got caught under the lads’ feet in the water.

“The players’ safety is what is most important.”

After Akinde’s opener Barnet hit the bar through midfielder Curtis Weston.

But Feeney’s men fought back with Darren Jones hitting the bar at the other end.

New signing Reece Grego-Cox impressed on the right wing and Sean Rigg almost scored with a header from Dan Butler’s cross.

Jack Compton also went close as the hosts dominated play towards the end of the first half.

But Barnet boss Martin Allen was fuming, insisting the match should have continued.

He said: “I don’t think it should have been called off. There were only three patches of water on one side that were smaller than the paddling pool I’ve got in my garden for the dog.

“I thought we should have given it another 20 minutes at least to see how it went, especially for the paying public and the Barnet fans who had travelled down.

“We were 1-0 up after a great start by the team and a good finish by John and who knows what would have happened? But we have to respect the decision and move on.”