Graham Coughlan: Newport County wasted golden chance against Derby

The Rams will be dreaming of drawing a Premier League big gun in Monday night’s draw for the third round after edging a 2-1 success.

Priestley Farquharson’s header at the end of the first half gave County a deserved 1-0 lead at half-time.

However, the League One Rams were a different side after the break and levelled when Louie Sibley cut in from the left wing to curl in a shot in the 54th minute.

A Pride Park replay loomed until County substitute Thierry Nevers botched his clearance with two minutes to go and experienced Republic of Ireland striker David McGoldrick nodded in from close range.

Derby took the £67,000 prize money and a potential money-spinner in the new year, much to the disappointment of Coughlan.

Newport boss Graham Coughlan (Image: PA)

“We’re obviously disappointed, it’s an opportunity missed,” said the manger. “We had chances galore but ‘could haves’ and ‘should haves’ don’t win football games.

“Putting the ball in the net and keeping it out at the other end wins football game and we didn’t do that today.

“The lads are naturally disappointed. They pushed a really top team really hard, and I thought their work-rate, their attitude and commitment were absolutely immense.

“It was a team effort, they all gave it their all. We had some great chances, but we’ve fallen asleep at key moments in the game and made a couple of errors.”

At 1-1 Coughlan pushed for a winner by replacing captain and defender Mickey Demetriou with forward Nevers, only for the West Ham prospect to sadly have an impact at the other end.

“We wanted to win it, we didn’t want the replay,” said the boss. “I felt we could have won it – there were chances there for us.

“But I am really pleased with what I have seen so far from this group of lads, if we can improve and take our game to the next level we will be a dangerous outfit in League Two.”

Derby are pushing for promotion from League One after dropping down from the Championship because of financial troubles.

Boss Paul Warne got a tune out of his squad in the second half after they were a shambles for the first 45 minutes.

“It was chalk and cheese, we could have won at a canter in the end,” he said. “In the end, I thought we thoroughly deserved our win.

“I told them a few home truths at half-time. I felt the first half was old Derby and the second half was new Derby.

“Sibley was honking in the first half, but I could say that about all 11. I’m not digging him out, I thought they were all pretty poor. The second half was a completely different game.

“We came here as the favourites, and we played like the underdogs. Our first-half performance was disgusting.

“It just wasn’t us and it’s a good warning sign but they showed they have got it in them to dig in and go again and win.”

Derby will watch the round three draw with interest while County prepare for a League Two trip to Crewe on Friday.