WAYNE Hatswell signed off as caretaker boss of Newport County AFC with a painful 2-2 against Carlisle United, describing Tuesday's dramatic draw as two points lost.

The Exiles led 2-1 at half-time thanks to a pair of superb goals by striker Dom Telford after Joe Riley had put the Cumbrians in front in the first minute.

READ MORE: Full match report from Rodney Parade

County had the struggling visitors on the ropes but paid the price for not getting a third goal when Ed Upson handled on the line and was shown red by referee David Rock after 65 minutes.

Zach Clough scored the penalty and the hosts were left clinging on with nine men when Ryan Haynes received a second yellow with five minutes to go.

"I am a little bit shellshocked at the moment because, as I said to the group, it was two points dropped," said Hatswell shortly after the final whistle.

"We had enough chances to be 3 or 4-1 up at half-time, we let them off the hook and left it on referee's decision where it looked like he just guessed.

"But he made the decision and then we were just hanging on, then Haynesy got sent off and it was backs against the wall.

"Credit to them, we didn't concede another and Joe Day made a really good save not long after, but it was two points dropped."

OFF: Ryan Haynes was dismissed late on for a second yellow

OFF: Ryan Haynes was dismissed late on for a second yellow

County made a shocking start but had a number of chances to stretch their 2-1 lead after Telford's double on 26 and 29 minutes.

"We gave them a start with one of the quickest goals that I have seen from our own kick-off," said Hatswell.

"We gave ourselves a mountain to climb but got ourselves back in the game, looked dangerous, played some good stuff but then struggled second half.

"We couldn't get it into the top area and let it stick for a bit, it became a messy game and that suited them, then there was the one decision that changed the game."

Hatswell was in charge for four League Two games after the departure of Michael Flynn, guiding them to a 3-0 win over Scunthorpe before sharing the spoils with Bradford (0-0), Exeter (2-2) and Carlisle.

"Out of the four, this is the one that hurts me the most. We played enough positive football to win the game and it's just that one moment that went against us," he said.

"That shows how fickle it can be – one minute you are winning and the next you are staring down the barrel of a defeat thinking 'how the hell did that happen?'.

"We are unbeaten in four and that's a positive, albeit we have not won in the last three. Now we will go to Bristol with a big crowd and hopefully that's going to be a good start for the new manager."

County will be without Upson and Haynes for Saturday's trip to Bristol Rovers because of suspension.

Aneurin Livermore and Chris Missilou are contenders to replace Upson, unless Rowberry opts to change formation and have Matty Dolan in front of a flat four.

The choice down the left looks to be a simple one with Aaron Lewis coming into the XI.

Rovers will be without defenders Cian Harries and Trevor Clarke after they saw red in the 1-1 draw at Colchester.