NEWPORT County manager Peter Beadle thought he would be delighted to come back from Welling with a point, but after the game he was disappointed that his side hadn't won.

County were denied what looked like a definite penalty right at the death and Beadle, though happy with his players, was left to rue what might have been.

He explained: "It is hard to swallow because we weren't very good in the first half, we didn't do what has helped us to get all the good results, but we were still 1-1 against a team battling for promotion.

"We are disappointed, which shows how far we have come, because in the second half we were a different side and we totally controlled the game.

"We were robbed at the death and it is hard to take. The referee gave me the reason for not giving the penalty that it wasn't a deliberate handball.

"But if the player has his arms above his head and the ball is heading into the penalty box for what might be a goal-scoring opportunity, how can it not be handball?

"The linesman was on the right side of the pitch to see it, he was facing it, his view was unobstructed and he gave the penalty, so we are very frustrated on that front."

However, Beadle was content with his players and thinks the point will stand his side in good stead going into the final countdown of the Conference South campaign.

"The incident at the end (a mass brawl) marred what was a very good game, though in fairness it came about because the referee had lost control of the game," he said.

"But we can take a lot out of today, we played very well in the second half and could have won the game against a very good side.

"Sam O'Sullivan came on and was a real livewire, though he did miss a couple of chances and we do need to work on improving his final product, his final pass or finish, but at least he is getting into dangerous positions.

"But I would have been happy with a point beforehand, it keeps us unbeaten (County haven't lost in their last six games) and we will take the point and keep playing on."