NEWPORT County AFC manager blamed ‘big decisions’ by the referee and poor defending by his side after a 2-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers.

Goals from James Coppinger and Andy Williams saw County slip to a third defeat of the season as they fell to 22nd in League Two.

Feeney’s men are above the bottom two on goal difference only but he insists there were reasons for optimism at the Keepmoat Stadium.

“I don’t think we played bad today,” said the Exiles boss.

“We had enough chances but we can’t keep giving teams goals.

“There’ll not be many teams that come here and have a go and we created probably the best two chances of the first half and we should have had a penalty.”

Feeney was angry with the award of the free-kick that led to Coppinger’s opener on 17 minutes.

“It’s been the story of our season,” he added. “They are big decisions. I didn’t think it was a foul but it gives them the momentum.

“I thought we played OK and we started the second half well but we gave away a stupid goal again and that’s the disappointing thing.

“They are a very good team and they were ruthless but I’m disappointed to come away with a 2-0 defeat.”