A STOPPAGE-TIME winner for Carlisle United condemned Newport County AFC to their fourth defeat of the season in League Two. Here are the talking points...

Shambolic start left a mountain to climb

Carlisle hadn’t scored a goal in a League Two home match in nearly eight hours and an early strike from County would have piled on the pressure.

But County’s makeshift defence was all over the place in the opening 15 minutes and would have conceded four instead of two in that period if it weren’t for an inspired Joe Day.

Fraser Franks has been badly missed and injuries to Scot Bennett and Mark O’Brien have come at the wrong time but Michael Flynn was unhappy with basic errors that left his side with an uphill task after just 12 minutes.

Late heartbreak hard to take

The Exiles have specialised in late goals so far this season, rescuing a point against Macclesfield Town and wins against Notts County and Stevenage, and they did it again at Brunton Park as Dan Butler levelled with four minutes left on the clock to seemingly earn a draw.

But the boot was on the other foot in the third minute of stoppage time as Danny Grainger’s missile found the top corner of Day’s net to break County’s hearts.

It was tough to take after battling back from 2-0 down and playing some superb football at times but Flynn’s men ultimately paid the price for another sloppy start.

South Wales Argus:

Bakinson back in the heart of things

The boss was full of praise for Tyreeq Bakinson on his return from injury and it looked like the Bristol City youngster had never been away as he slotted in alongside Matty Dolan in central midfield.

The 20-year-old was robbed early on to concede a chance but from thereon in he hardly lost the ball all afternoon and he linked up superbly with Josh Sheehan, Tyler Forbes and Antoine Semenyo.

The thought of Bakinson, Matty Dolan and Joss Labadie all playing alongside each other is an exciting one for Flynn and for all County fans.

Sheehan showed glimpses of what he’s capable of

It’s been a frustrating season for the former Swansea City midfielder who has looked low on confidence for the past few weeks.

He’s been in and out of the side and has failed to impress on too many occasions but he was much brighter at Brunton Park.

Sheehan played his part in some sublime passing moves and was unlucky not to score when his fierce shot found the side netting. It was a performance to prove that he still has something to offer this side.

Commendable commitment from 136 fans

If the last-gasp goal was tough on the County players it was also a crushing blow for the travelling fans who had hardly stopped celebrating Butler’s equaliser when they were brought crashing back down to earth.

The journey home from Carlisle is long enough without such a sickener at the death and you had to feel for those that had made the long trek north.

They will hope for a better outcome in Surrey next Saturday when the Exiles take on Metropolitan Police FC. At least Flynn’s men shouldn’t be robbed at Imber Court.