NEWPORT County AFC boss Michael Flynn admitted that his side’s poor defensive record at home is a concern but he is adamant that referee Trevor Kettle cost the Exiles two points on Tuesday night.

The 3-3 draw with Macclesfield Town means County have now conceded 13 goals in six League Two games at Rodney Parade this season and 11 in their last three.

But Flynn’s main focus after the match was the referee’s performance.

Kettle awarded the Silkmen two penalties and he also angered the Exiles boss by failing to issue a second yellow card to Fiacre Kelleher when the Macclesfield defender hauled down Jamille Matt in the incident that led to a spot-kick for the hosts.

“It was definitely two points lost and it was one of the worst refereeing decisions I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Flynn.

“The first goal was nothing to do with the officials but it was never a penalty – either of them.

“It’s hit Mickey’s hand [for the second penalty] but he’s been pulled and the player who won the penalty should have been sent off earlier.

“It was an absolutely disgusting performance and it needs looking at.

“I don’t want to say too much because I’ll get in trouble but let’s just say that the referee has cost us two points.”

County have history with Kettle, who awarded Cambridge United a contentious late penalty and sent off Mitch Rose in a League Two match at the Abbey Stadium during Graham Westley's reign in February 2017 – a game that Flynn played in.

“I knew when he was appointed that we were going to be in trouble and that’s worrying,” added the manager.

“The first goal we conceded was too easy but the other two were absolutely disgraceful [from the referee].

“I’ve watched it [a TV recording] and the referee has actually guessed for the first penalty. It’s worrying. He’s guessed because he hasn’t got a clear view.”

On the possible red card for Kelleher, Flynn said: “He [Kettle] came up to me and said ‘all he’s done is pull his shirt, it’s not a second yellow’ but we all know that in the rules of the game a shirt pull is a yellow card.

“I’ve never seen the Hazell Stand that irate with a performance from the referee. It’s not good enough.

“As soon as I saw he was he was a late appointment I was worried but I don’t want to go too deep into it because I will end up getting fined and I don’t want that because my wife will kill me!”

Flynn may find himself in hot water for his comments about Kettle but he intends to make an official complaint about the referee’s handling of the game.

“I won’t speak to him,” he said. “What’s the point? He doesn’t listen. I’ll speak to the assessors.”

Despite decisions going against them, County did manage to rescue a point thanks to Matt’s 97th-minute header but that was not much consolation for the boss.

“Credit goes to the players,” he added. “They kept going and going and going but I didn’t celebrate anything.

“I’m glad that we managed to get a point but the worrying thing for me is that we’ve conceded 11 goals in three home games and that’s not good enough.”

Kelleher headed Macclesfield in front on six minutes before Dave Fitzpatrick scored from the spot five minutes later.

Dan Butler got his side back into the game before the break and Mickey Demetriou equalised with a penalty just before the hour.

And Fitzpatrick’s second penalty on 82 minutes was cancelled out by Matt’s late leveller.

“There was only one team in it in the second half – we absolutely murdered them,” said Flynn.

“We played some really good stuff and Dan Butler’s delivery was the best I’ve seen.

“Podge [Padraig Amond] should have scored when the keeper made a good save.

“It was all one-way traffic but the worrying thing is we’ve conceded three goals and we should be two points better off.”