THIS was a game Newport County AFC should definitely have won but sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition.

Crewe Alexandra were already a goal down thanks to Frank Nouble’s early strike at Gresty Road when defender Perry Ng was shown his second yellow card with the match only 17 minutes old.

The hosts could easily have cursed their luck and crumbled but they hit back almost immediately as Chris Dagnall converted George Cooper’s cross and they made light of their numerical disadvantage to match County throughout.

The weary-looking Exiles will know they should have taken all three points after creating several good chances.

But they lacked that sharpness of mind and body in the final third and came up against a goalkeeper in fine form in Ben Garratt.

And Crewe also had chances to add to their one goal with 20-year-old Cooper tormenting the visiting defence and Chris Porter hitting the post in first-half stoppage-time.

Michael Flynn and his players were frustrated after the final whistle but it’s hard to argue that Crewe didn’t deserve their point.

“There were some football challenges, some physical challenges, some mental challenges thrown at us by the referee, and all in all I thought we came through it with flying colours,” said their manager David Artell afterwards.

“I thought we didn't half dig in, deserved the luck that came our way. We weren't shutting up shop by a long stretch, but I'm pleased with a point.

“They stood up to the test and they left everything out on the pitch for us. I think all the fans have gone home saying 'yep, they aren't half fighting for the football club'.

“There are areas to improve but it was a hard-earned point.”

The home fans were baying for blood after the red card and desperate for the referee to even things up but Artell had no issue with the second yellow for a reckless challenge that could easily have been a straight red.

“Perry has let himself down and he let the lads down,” he said. “He apologised but I can't condone it. He's given the referee the opportunity to send him off.”

He added: “The fact the referee didn't even give a foul when there was an absolute leg-breaker on the far side is absolutely criminal, we get told not to criticise referees but – he will be disappointed with his performance I'm sure he will.”

Ng’s ‘tackle’ looked to be the only potential leg-breaker in the match but Artell was merely echoing the negativity that unfairly rained down on referee Eddie Ilderton throughout the match from the Alexandra fans.

South Wales Argus:

The main positive for Flynn and his side is that they remain unbeaten after two tough away games in League Two, even if the manager will feel they should have six points instead of two when he studies the embryonic league table.

Nouble’s second goal in two starts also bodes well, as does the mature performance of teenager Ben White in the heart of the Exiles’ defence.

Shawn McCoulsky failed to fire in his first league start but can still be proud of the start he’s made to his loan spell.

And, with a week to recover and regroup, he and the rest of the squad will be able to approach the enticing trips to Coventry City in the league and Leeds United in the Carabao Cup with plenty of confidence.

County: Day; Demetriou, White, O’Brien; Butler (Jahraldo-Martin, 90) Labadie, Dolan, Rigg (Owen-Evans, 75), Willmott; Nouble, McCoulsky (Reynolds, 57)

Subs not used: Bittner, Pipe, Foulston, Cole

Booked: Demetriou, O'Brien

Referee: Eddie Ilderton

Attendance: 3,400 (354 County)