NEWPORT County AFC’s dismal record of conceding penalties this season is something caretaker boss Michael Flynn desperately wants to nip in the bud.

The tally of spot-kicks Flynn’s men have given away since the first against MK Dons in the EFL Cup last August has got so high there is even a bit of uncertainty as to what the exact total is.

It appears to be 17, although some, including Flynn reckons it is 18, while others say 19 – whatever the number, no other club in League Two has conceded more than County this term.

The latest came on Tuesday night when Luton’s Danny Hylton was brought down by Sid Nelson and then scored from the spot to give the Hatters the lead in a game which ended 1-1.

It was the third time this season that Luton had netted from 12 yards against County, with all three penalties being awarded by the same referee, Charles Breakspear.

But Plymouth have been the biggest beneficiaries of Exiles fouls in the box, receiving four spot-kicks in as many league and cup fixtures between the two sides.

When asked if his charges had been hard done by in terms of penalty decisions going against them, Flynn said: “It has not been unlucky.

"There have been a lot of mistakes, a lot of silly fouls, a few dubious decisions against us, but, on the whole, I think a lot of them were penalties.

“You can’t dive in when you’re in the box and you can’t pull shirts.

“You’ve got to be so careful now – stand up, work your feet, make the striker do something extraordinary to get a shot off or to make the goalkeeper make a save.

“I can’t defend the penalty on Tuesday but Sid is a great lad, a good pro, he’s done very well since he’s been here, and he’s definitely got the character to bounce back.

“It’s done now, we can’t change it. I’d love to be able to change it because 18 penalties in one season is far, far too many.

“It has cost us in games. In some games we’ve got away with it but it’s definitely something I’ll be drumming home to the boys again and for the rest of the season.”

Flynn is hoping the penalty count doesn’t go up again on Saturday when County travel to high-flying Portsmouth (kick-off 3pm).

The Exiles, who are without the injured Lenell John-Lewis, Jamie Turley and Ben Tozer, as well as banned duo Mitch Rose and Mark O’Brien, are now six points from safety at the foot of the table.