NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn felt his side was on the wrong end of two decisions by referee Graham Salisbury as they went down 2-0 at Carlisle United.

County were already 1-0 down after Omari Patrick’s fifth-minute header when Dale Gorman was adjudged to have fouled Jack Bridge in the penalty area on 33 minutes, allowing Josh Kayode to double the hosts’ advantage from the spot.

And Salisbury then showed a straight red card to Ryan Inniss for a rash challenge on Kayode just before the break.

“It was a sloppy start,” admitted Flynn. “We gave away a goal from a set-play and all the hard work and the preparation is on the backburner after five minutes.

“Then Matty Dolan felt his hamstring after a few minutes, so it wasn’t an ideal start to the game.

South Wales Argus:

“But I didn’t think it was a penalty and I wasn’t sure it was a red card either.

“It looked worse than it was. There was no two-footed challenge. I’ll have to watch it again, but I wasn’t convinced at the time.

“It seemed harsh. It was rash, but I don’t think it was dangerous play.

“It definitely wasn’t a penalty. He said he did it for a shirt-pull, but that was outside the box.”

Joss Labadie, who replaced Dolan after only 12 minutes, missed two chances after the break but there was no way back for Flynn’s men.

“There were a couple of chances as well that went across the face of the goal, that nobody got on the end of and that’s the frustrating thing,” said the Exiles boss.

“We looked quite solid in the second half with 10 men but we switched off in the first five minutes and you’ve always got your back against the wall then.”

Read more: Carlisle United 2 Newport County 0 - match report from Brunton Park