CREWE boss Lee Bell was frustrated to have a pointless 100th game in charge at Newport County AFC – and felt his side were denied a “clear penalty”.

The Exiles got back to winning ways with a 2-1 triumph at Rodney Parade thanks to a superb strike by Cameron Evans in the first half and a rapid response by Matt Baker in the 74th minute after an Adrien Thibaut leveller.

The Railwaymen headed to Newport hunting a fifth victory on the bounce but their manager admitted they were not at their best.

“I thought it was an extremely patchy performance from us throughout the game, with and without the football,” said Bell, who led Crewe to the play-off final last season.

“We gifted them two goals. I thought we deserved to get back into the game, but then you can’t concede straightaway – that’s going to cost us in the end, in terms of what points we can pick up.

“I’ve let the players know that I’m not happy. The least we should get out of that is a 1-1 draw.”

County had endured a torrid September that featured heavy losses to Port Vale and Swindon plus a comprehensive defeat at Barrow.

“We knew they were going through a difficult spell,” added Bell. “We knew they’d want to fight, and they did that.

“We just played into their hands, but the amount of times we got in behind and the final ball let us down – I lost count. It was too rushed.

“There is plenty for us to work on and improve, the worry would be if we didn’t get into those positions.”

Bell was frustrated with his side but also lamented the decision to wave away appeals after Jack Lankester went down in the box after a heavy Cameron Evans challenge shortly after the defender had opened the scoring.

"We should have had a penalty. It was as clear a penalty as you'll see, I think,” said the Crewe boss.