NEWPORT County AFC remain second in League Two after having to settle for a point from their meeting with promotion rivals Salford City.

It was a cagey clash on a testing Rodney Parade surface and the Exiles had to dig deep after influential playmaker Josh Sheehan was red-carded approaching the hour for a dangerous challenge on Ash Hunter.

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County made light of their numerical disadvantage to finish on top, albeit neither goalkeeper was seriously stressed all afternoon.

Here are the talking points from the goalless draw in Newport…

South Wales Argus:

RECKLESS RED

Watching the challenge live, one feared for Josh Sheehan but it initially looked like yellow was going to be shown.

Referee Anthony Backhouse didn't rush over to the incident and that often gives the impression that a caution is coming.

Alas, he was just taking his time and after consulting with assistants Simon Shaw and Steven Plane plus fourth official Adam Ricketts it was red.

County assistant Wayne Hatswell applauded the challenge at the time and Flynn was furious post-match.

However, after watching the footage I feel it was the correct call despite the theatrics of Hunter. It was reckless, a little high and out of control.

Perhaps the frustration comes from a lack of protection for Sheehan, who has to deal with plenty of crude treatment from teams determined to stop him dictating play.

The 25-year-old usually shows such restraint – this was the first red of his career – but he was rash soon after he had been barged off the ball (without getting a free-kick) and seconds after losing possession.

Had the same challenge been made on the Wales international then there would have been screams for it to be a dismissal.

County, who have a creativity conundrum for games against Cheltenham, Oldham and Carlisle, will want more protection for Sheehan when he returns from suspension, but he still deserved the dismissal.

South Wales Argus:

DEMETRIOU DENIED

I disagree with Flynn's opinion on the red but have sympathy on his second major gripe.

County finished the game on the front foot and felt that history should have repeated in the six minutes of injury time.

Mickey Demetriou, who was excellent at centre-back, went down in the box after a clumsy challenge by James Wilson.

It looked a foul but appeals were waved away by Mr Backhouse.

Richie Wellens, watching at home on iFollow because of illness, would have had a chuckle.

The Salford boss was furious after the late penalty in the north west of England that Sheehan coolly slotted for a draw in December.

If he mischievously sent a message to Flynn about things evening themselves out over the course of a season then a phone would have been in bits after being flung at a Newport wall.

County have suffered a pair of penalty shootout defeats to Premier League sides this season but have profited from seven successes from the spot in League Two.

Sadly, Matty Dolan or Tristan Abrahams didn't get the chance to turn one point into three.

South Wales Argus:

MARVELLOUS MEDICS

Ryan Haynes has been hugely influential to County's season and it was a blow to lose the left wing-back after just 16 minutes, although Ash Baker did well on the right and Liam Shephard was as strong as ever when swapping flanks.

Haynes was caught by a stray arm from Hunter and was treated before returning to play. He made a tackle but wasn't right and went down again.

Salford were frustrated at the delay but the medical team were correct to step in and take their time.

We have all seen the dangers of concussion in rugby and football is playing catch-up. There can be no risks and it is not a decision that the player should be making.

Thankfully Haynes went straight to the changing room and he will need to be assessed before Cheltenham on Tuesday.

A Dragons player would have to go through head injury assessment protocols and I am sure the County medics will be just as diligent.

If Haynes is out then the performance of Baker, who grew into the game when up against the dangerous Ibou Touray, provided some encouragement.

South Wales Argus:

SHOTS NOT FIRED

Ryan Taylor enjoyed his first start since October, although enjoyed is perhaps the wrong word.

The veteran striker returned from a hamstring injury off the bench against Brighton and was given the nod to be a targetman against the Ammies.

It was a thankless task given the supply and the quality of the balls that came his way.

Jake Scrimshaw suffered because of that lack of service on his debut but the Bournemouth prospect did show bundles of energy.

That could pay off in the games to come in Newport, when hopefully he can profit from defensive errors on the tricky surface.

We have been spoilt with some delightful football at Rodney Parade this season but now it will turn into no-risk stuff with great importance on set pieces.

Padraig Amond certainly made a difference after coming on for Kevin Ellison, who pulled up after good defensive work, but County didn't stretch Vaclav Hladky.

County have fired in the shots for much of the season, with Scott Twine having a dig from distance, yet they totted up just six efforts on Saturday.

It was a good point against a strong side to stay in the automatic promotion spots but the Exiles will know that they must up their game in an extremly tight division.