NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn admitted his side performed poorly against Crewe Alexandra and were fortunate to claim all three points.

County struggled to create many openings before Padraig Amond’s 93rd-minute winner at a hot and humid Rodney Parade.

And a fourth successive clean sheet in League Two sees the Exiles climb to fifth in the table after five games.

“We didn’t turn up until the 88th minute,” said Flynn.

“We were poor today; I’m not going to dress it up. We were really poor going forward.

“But what we did as a team was, we defended well and we limited their chances – I don’t think they had one clear chance.

“And what I did on Tuesday [to draw 0-0 at Walsall] – shutting up shop and taking the draw when I realised it wasn’t great – they didn’t do.

“They went for the win and it cost them because we ended up 2 v 2 in the 92nd minute and it was a great pass by Tristan [Abrahams], very unselfish. And that’s what we’re about as a team.”

Flynn continued: “There were quite a few who frustrated me today. I’ll always be honest. I’m not one of these managers who tries to go away from the truth. Crewe were a lot better than us.

“We were excellent defensively but we were poor going forward.

“Everything we did was the wrong choice; we were shooting when we should have crosses, crossing when we should have shot and we were going backwards way too often for my liking.

“But if we can do all that and still come away with three points, then that shows you we’re going in the right direction.”

South Wales Argus:

The win extends the club-record 15-game unbeaten run in regular-season league game.

“I’m not counting,” said Flynn. “That’s for the statisticians. But it’s a fantastic effort from the boys.”

County now turn their attention to Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup clash with West Ham United.

“I hope West Ham were watching today, because they’re going to think they’ll steamroller us and they might leave a few players behind,” joked Flynn.

“It was all reverse psychology today – it was part of the plan!”

Read more: Newport County 1 Crewe Alexandra 0 - match report