MICHAEL Flynn believes his Newport County AFC players paid the price for a gruelling first week of the season as they failed to beat 10-man Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Flynn was left frustrated as County had to settle for a point at Gresty Road despite having a numerical advantage for more than 73 minutes.

The Exiles led through an early Frank Nouble goal and looked set to earn their first win of the League Two campaign when home defender Perry Ng picked up a second yellow card after 17 minutes.

But Crewe were level a minute later thanks to Chris Dagnall and they continued to threaten, while County created plenty of chances but could not find a winner.

And Flynn felt his side’s disappointing display can be partly explained by the 860 miles they'd racked up before kick-off going to Stevenage, Southend United and Crewe in the first eight days of the new season.

“There’s been a lot of travelling and the boys have been fantastic,” said the Exiles boss.

“I’m not one to make excuses but there were a lot of players struggling out there – it’s caught up with us.

“There were a lot of sore muscles and it was tough.

“A couple of players were not at their game and in League Two you don’t get an easy week.”

Flynn praised the hosts’ spirited showing after Ng’s red card.

“Crewe have had the same amount of games and they played a day later [in midweek] and they had 10 men so fair play to them,” he said.

“But we had a few struggling – not just with tiredness, we had a few touch and go as to whether they could play.

“It’s hard but they stayed on and put a shift in. Whether it was as good as they have been is questionable but they showed the right courage and attitude and that’s all I can ask from them.”

In contrast to County’s cross-country treks, Crewe have started the season with three home games and looked fresher even when a man down.

But Flynn’s men remain unbeaten and he is glad to have a blank midweek fixture list to prepare for the trip to Coventry City.

“If we had won 2-1 we would all have been talking about a great start to the season so we’re not too far away,” he said.

“We’re not that far away at all. We played some really good stuff and we opened them up but we didn’t quite have that killer instinct in the box, which is what we need.

“We’ve got a nice free week now and we’ll go again.”

County were without defender Scot Bennett, midfielder Ben Tozer and striker Marlon Jackson at Crewe but all three could be in contention for the trip to the Ricoh Arena.

Flynn will also hope to further strengthen his squad before next weekend.