Newport County manager Hayden Mullins expressed his disappointment after his team fell to a last-minute defeat against Salford City, stating that his players were "running on empty" by the end of the match. The Exiles had taken a surprising lead in the 71st minute when Harrison Biggins scored a remarkable goal from 70 yards, giving Newport a glimmer of hope against a Salford side that reached the League Two play-offs last season.
Despite Newport's strong performance, Salford managed to equalize through Taylor Allen before snatching a dramatic victory with a goal from Kelly N'Mai in the dying moments of the match. This marked Salford's first win of the season, while Newport was left to rue missed opportunities after having led for a significant portion of the game.
Mullins reflected on the heartache of conceding a goal in the 90th minute, a situation he knows all too well. Just a week prior, Newport had salvaged a draw against Tranmere by scoring late in the game. "Conceding in the 90th minute is always tough," Mullins remarked. "The boys were running on empty in the end. We put in such a shift."
Newport's impressive opener from Biggins was a highlight of the match, showcasing the midfielder's skill and determination. He intercepted the ball just outside his own penalty area and executed a stunning lob over Salford goalkeeper Will Norris. Mullins praised Biggins for his performance, noting, "It was absolutely fantastic. He’s been threatening that for a couple of weeks now. We know he’s got that in his armoury and he put in a really good battling performance for us as well."
Unfortunately for Newport, the late surge from Salford overshadowed Biggins' brilliant goal, and the team was left without a reward for their efforts. This defeat continues a challenging start to the season for Newport County, who will be looking to bounce back in their upcoming match against Northampton Town, a team that has also struggled to find form this season.
The Exiles will face Northampton on Saturday, September 5, at 15:00 BST, in a crucial match that could provide an opportunity to secure their first win of the campaign. With both teams seeking to improve their standings in League Two, the upcoming clash promises to be an important fixture for Newport County as they aim to turn their fortunes around.
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