Michael Flynn post-Carlisle United

Manager Michael Flynn hailed his side's battling spirit in Newport County AFC's goalless draw with Carlisle United on Tuesday evening.

The Exiles chalked up their fifth point in three matches - following the victory over Bolton Wanderers and draw against Mansfield Town - and moved up a position in the table following the stalemate with the Blues.

County fell to defeat when the two sides met earlier in the season at Brunton Park and they had to dig in to ensure they came away with a share of the spoils against a well-organised Carlisle outfit.

"It was a solid point gained," said Flynn.

"There were some favourable results and we can still finish on 80 points, and we will try to get there.

"It was a fair result. They edged the first half in terms of chances and we were the better team in the second half.

"We were trying to win it at the end and with a couple of different decisions we might have done that."

Carlisle, who were three points adrift of County before kick-off, enjoyed the better of the chances, although neither side could manage enough to break the deadlock.

Flynn's side could have nicked it in the dying embers but Ryan Taylor’s effort was off target as both teams settled for a solid point apiece.

Flynn said: "They are a good team who are very, very good at what they do. They are tough to beat with pace going forward, they don’t look to build they look to hit you on the counter.

"They have an organised defence, their midfield three work their socks off and they are a strong team."

The Exiles could have cut the gap on fifth-placed Tranmere Rovers to a single point with a victory over the Cumbrians after Keith Hill's side suffered a 1-0 defeat against Walsall. 

While results elsewhere went in County's favour in their hunt to seal a top-seven finish after Exeter City, Salford City and Leyton Orient failed to pick up maximum points.

County now turn their attentions to Saturday's clash against Cambridge United, who sit four places above Flynn's side.

"It was a hard-fought point and it hasn’t done us too much damage," added Flynn.

"It was a nervy, hard-fought game between two teams who maybe aren’t at 100 per cent of their form.

"We’ve got another tough one on Saturday and the confidence will be good because we finished on a high.”