Manager Graham Coughlan says he was encouraged by Newport County’s performance despite being forced to settle for an Emirates FA Cup Third Round replay against Eastleigh.
James Clarke opened the scoring for County early in the second half but Chris Maguire’s penalty nine minutes from time salvaged a replay for the National League side in South Wales.
“It’s mixed emotions come the final whistle,” began Coughlan.
“I thought we played really well and we were the dominant team. I thought we moved the ball well, got into some good positions and earned some good territory.
“Before they went down to ten men I thought we created numerous chances that we didn’t just finish off. Unfortunately, we’re coming away from a football match yet again with a poor decision.
“I thought Eastleigh were very good today and hat’s off to them about how they went about their business. It’s a mixture of emotions come the final whistle as we should be fully in the hat tomorrow.
“It’s not easy to stand here after a draw like that and be pleased with our performance, but I thought the lads played really well. We are naive, we do daft things and we do shoot ourselves in the foot in certain moments.
“On the whole, we need to realise how good we were today and it was just that finding touch, that little bit of quality and it would have been a comfortable afternoon.
“I think if we were to play that game again, then nine times out of ten we would win it. We probably prefer when it’s eleven versus eleven because it can be extremely tough against ten men they a team sits in and bank up.
“We should have seen the game through in all honesty. We should have booked our place in the next round and now we have to settle for a replay and go to Eastleigh next Tuesday night.”
The Exiles and the Spitfires will be ball number 31 in the Fourth Round draw which will take place live on Monday evening before Wigan Athletic’s tie against Manchester United.
Ticket information for our Third round tie replay with Eastleigh will be announced in due course.