NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh is urging his side to develop a more clinical touch on the road after the Exiles picked up a first away point of the campaign.
Chris Zebroski's splendid first half goal in torrid conditions didn't prove enough as the Daggers hit back in the second half.
The hosts might even have won it late on, but boss Edinburgh was only too aware his side could've been home and hosed.
At 1-0 they were dominant, missing several opportunities to extend their lead.
"There's an element of it being the same thing as at Northampton in terms of not being clinical enough when we needed to be," he told the Argus.
"The way we started the first half and dominated, I thought we were worthy of an extra goal and 1-0 is a precarious scoreline.
"I thought we even started the second half well, we were on the front foot and there is an element of luck with the goal, but we are learning about the need to be more clinical. Our failure to get the goals when we've been dominant has cost us four points."
Edinburgh was pleased by Zebroski's strike, which followed a splendid tackle by Christian Jolley and super pass by Adam Chapman.
"It was a magnificent goal, we don't seem to get tap-ins at the moment and the pace and the power, we looked a real force in the first half, I just thought we made a few too many unforced errors in the second half and got stretched and sat too deep.
"But it's a good point, early on any points are very good, there is no real form or pattern to the division yet and if someone had offered us one defeat in our opening five games we'd have taken it.
"I am really delighted with the players again, their commitment is second to none and it's the same with the fans, it always helps us immensely.
The Exiles might have had a late penalty for handball, but the Newport players bafflingly didn't appeal. However, Edinburgh was understanding.
"I don't know why the players didn't appeal for what I thought was a penalty, I don't know whether they'd just given up with the referee, because we'd appealed for enough in the second half," he said.
"We jumped up on the bench and said handball and all the fans did, but the players didn't and I was surprised. The referee couldn't be swung and we put it down to frustration I think."
Edinburgh confirmed he expects to sign a midfielder this week, before the September 2 transfer deadline.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel