Opposition view: Newport 'didn't deserve to lose' against Cobblers, says Mullins
Newport County Hayden Mullins manager rued ‘one costly mistake’ after his side were beaten by Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh’s 87th-minute strike at Sixfields on Saturday.
The home side had more of the ball in the first half but they did little with it before Newport grew in confidence and arguably carried the greater threat in the second 45 minutes.
In truth, both sides laboured badly in the final third, but Cobblers snatched their first win of the season when O’Brien-Whitmarsh brilliantly picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
"It's one costly mistake and we've been punished," said Mullins. "It's happening a bit at the moment. We were in control of the game, the ball comes to us and it's a poor turnover in the middle of the park and we're punished by a good strike from the edge of the box.
"The boys didn't deserve to lose after everything they put into the game, we definitely had the lion's share in the second half and we looked comfortable, but we're punished for switching off. We should be alert to the danger and maybe organise ourselves better but I didn't think the boys deserved that today.
"Northampton are a good side and it's always tough to go away and dominate but you've got to be tough to beat and I thought we were that for long periods of the game. We were tight and solid and I thought we stood up to them well
"It was some strike by their lad but we switched off and that one moment has allowed them to win the game. We’re turning over possession in the wrong areas of the pitch at the moment and we’re a little bit naive but for most of the game, the boys played well.”