MANAGER Michael Flynn was fuming after Newport County AFC’s defeat to Tranmere – but it was his defenders in the firing line rather than referee Ben Toner.

The Exiles suffered a 1-0 loss to their promotion rivals at Prenton Park that sees them slip out of the play-off places in the tight League Two table.

County should have been awarded a shot at salvation in the 89th minute when a long ball came off Rovers defender Calum MacDonald’s left hand in the box as he battled with Ryan Taylor.

However, Mr Toner instead penalised Taylor and that meant the sole goal of the game came in the seventh minute from Liam Feeney.

It was that moment rather than the spot-kick decision that left Flynn angry, with the boss once again lamenting mistakes that left his side chasing a game.

South Wales Argus: DESPAIR: Newport County trudge off after defeat at TranmereDESPAIR: Newport County trudge off after defeat at Tranmere

“It was a penalty but that is not why we lost the game, we lost the game because of the mistakes that we made,” said the manager.

“There was no control on the ball by Priestley Farquharson, Ryan Haynes is 40 or 50 yards too high, Matty Dolan is spare, Mickey Demetriou comes over too far and there was a massive gap.

“They had one chance and they put it in the back of the net.”

Flynn was visibly annoyed at the final whistle when he went over to the officials but recognised that little was to be achieved by a post-match rant.

“I am not going on about that. I am not getting in trouble,” he said.

“I don't want to go on about the referee because there are parts we need to take responsibility for,” he continued.

“We didn’t lose the game because of that [penalty decision]. We lost because of our lack of quality in the final third with cross and shot decision-making and being too cavalier at the start of the game, which they were told not to.

“The worked their socks off and their effort was as good as it could be but we need a little bit more if we want to do anything.”

County have gone from setting the pace in January to being in a battle to make the play-offs.

They need to match the likes of Tranmere, Bolton and Bradford in stringing together wins if they are to stay in the promotion mix.

In their last 15 games the Exiles have won twice, drawn six and lost seven, taking 12 points from a possible 45.

“Have we been outplayed in any of the games that we have lost? No, but there are individual errors and missed chances," said Flynn.

“At the minute it's hard to deal with because there are games that we should have won but have lost.

“It's frustrating. We want to go and win a couple of games in a row and the longer we leave it, the harder it's going to get.”

County head to Colchester this weekend and will be without loanee Luke Gambin against the winger’s parent club.