NEWPORT County manager Michael Flynn was desperately disappointed that his side could not hang on for all three points at Accrington Stanley.

Just like last week’s 1-1 home draw with Port Vale, County were again pegged back late on and forced to settle for a point when a win was within their grasp.

Frank Nouble’s 48th-minute opener, his seventh of the season, looked to have sealed a first league win since October 14 for the Exiles.

But Stanley substitute Mallik Wilks smashed in an equaliser two minutes from time and the hosts could even have won it in a frantic finale.

“I’m gutted that we didn’t win the game,” said Flynn.

“We didn’t look like conceding for 87 minutes and then we looked like we were going to concede at will.

“The last few minutes was crazy – we sat back a little bit but they didn’t look like scoring.

“We were comfortable and again it’s an individual error for the goal.

“I need to watch it back before I start pointing the finger but again it’s a cheap goal to concede and it’s taken the gloss off what would have been an absolutely perfect away performance.”

Robbie Willmott saw a shot pushed onto the post by Stanley stopper Aaron Chapman after Nouble’s goal but Billy Kee also hit the woodwork for the hosts, who had several penalty shouts waved away.

“Would we have taken a point before the game? Probably, but I’m disappointed that we haven’t won,” added Flynn.

“I thought the boys put in an unbelievable shift, they worked their socks off but unfortunately they switched off at the end.

“And the chance after their goal was worse for me, when their number eight had a free shot and Scot Bennett blocked it.

“I don’t know how anybody can have so much space in the area when you’ve got so many players back defending.

“It was a crazy few minutes but I thought they were outstanding.

“There are a lot of positives to take out of it and we go again on Tuesday.”

The Exiles remain ninth in League Two, three points off the play-off positions, ahead of Tuesday night’s home clash with struggling Barnet.