NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn hailed a much-improved performance from his team but he was left frustrated by the individual error that allowed Coventry City to take a point away from Rodney Parade.

Mickey Demetriou’s first-half strike put County on course for a first home win since January 19 and Padraig Amond went agonisingly close to extending the lead after the break as visiting goalkeeper Lee Burge diverted his header onto the bar from point-blank range.

But an uncharacteristic mistake from defender Ben White allowed Coventry substitute Max Biamou to fire past Joe Day 11 minutes from the end to seal a draw for the promotion-chasing Sky Blues.

White, who has enjoyed a hugely successful season-long loan from Premier League club, lost possession in his own half and Kyel Reid squared for Biamou to drill the ball beyond Day’s despairing dive.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Flynn. “I thought we were the better team and we deserved to win.

“I thought we were excellent against the form team in the division. They found it very difficult against us.

“The goalkeeper made a world class save and they didn’t look like scoring in the second half but an individual error cost us again.

“We’ve got to cut them out because there’s too many.

“Since the Spurs [FA Cup] game we’ve conceded a lot of poor goals.

“I told Ben he might be able to try to trap the ball with his studs up on a nice academy pitch or a Premier League pitch but you can’t do it at Rodney Parade.

“I’m sure he’ll learn from it because he’s a very bright player.”

Flynn was, however, pleased with the display after such a lacklustre performance in last week’s 2-1 home defeat to Crewe Alexandra.

“Everybody can have an off game but it just happened that we had six or seven of them at once last week,” said the Exiles boss.

“It cost us because we defended poorly and we made the wrong decisions.

“Today I can’t fault them; they were excellent and I’m very proud of the performance they put in.

“I’ll always back my players because we’re all in it together.

“They’ve been fantastic this season and they’ve put in another whole-hearted performance that deserved the three points.”

The draw sees Flynn’s men stay in 12th position – 10 points below the play-off places with seven games left to play.

They are 20 points clear of 23rd-placed Chesterfield, who they face at the Proact Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Paul Hayes and Robbie Willmott, who were both forced off with injuries against Coventry, are doubts for the trip to Derbyshire.