FURIOUS Newport County AFC manager John Sheridan blasted his side’s ‘comical’ defending as they let a 2-0 lead slip at Brackley Town in the FA Cup.

The Exiles are in the hat for tomorrow night’s second round draw but they face a replay at Rodney Parade next week after conceding a 95th minute leveller at St James Park.

An early penalty for Lenell John-Lewis and a Scot Bennett’s solo effort put County in charge but Luke Graham’s goal on the hour, after Joe Day misjudged a corner, gave the Conference North side hope.

And former County player Curtis McDonald headed home a last-gasp leveller to ensure the sides will meet again.

“I never saw any danger once we got the goals,” said Sheridan.

“We were very comfortable and I thought we were just going to see the game out.

“But we didn’t see the game out well enough.

“We had good possession of the ball but we should have gone for the killer third goal, which we didn’t.

“Some of our passing was not great in the second half and the defending for the first goal was comical.

“It just gave them a bit of belief to come back into the game and then they got the second at the death.

“We’re down at the moment after being 2-0 up. We nearly got the result we wanted; get in the hat and on the bus home but it wasn’t to be.”

Defender Danny Holmes, a second half substitute for Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, echoed his manager’s disappointment.

“I thought we could have done a lot better with both goals,” he said.

“We really should have just attacked the ball at the end and we would have won the game.

“But we dropped deeper and deeper and unfortunately they got the draw.

“It was in our hands and we let them back into it.

“It shouldn’t happen and we need to cut those mistakes out.

“But we have to move on now,” he added. “We’re still unbeaten in four games now, which is a positive, and we need to get the win on Saturday.”

Brackley boss Kevin Wilkin, who was previously in charge at Wrexham, said: “We had our opportunities after getting the goal back from the corner and asked some questions and I’m delighted for everybody.

“It’s a great day and to drag ourselves back into it from 2-0 down we’re pleased for everybody.

“I didn’t know Curtis could head the ball like that. He doesn’t get too many and heading is not his strong point but that was fantastic.

“The penalty decision went against us early on and I think it was a fair result in the end.”