Rowberry: Newport County frustrated by draw with Carlisle

The Exiles hit the front for only the second time this season when Nathan Moriah-Welsh finished smartly in the 30th minute.

However, they were pegged back with 15 to go when Corey Whelan escaped at a corner to fire in and the Cumbrians came close to a first ever win at Rodney Parade when Paul Huntington hit the bar in added time.

READ MORE: Match report

The Exiles ended a four-game losing streak but under-pressure Rowberry felt that his side should have been toasting a second home league success of the season.

“It’s a disappointed changing room,” said the manager. “To concede a goal from a set play was bitterly disappointing.

“We probably didn’t impose the game plan in the second half that we did in the first; we didn’t compose ourselves on the ball.

“But on the flip side we got a point and stopped the three league losses in a row. We can and we will build on this now to give our fans something to shout about.”

Huw Evans Agency (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

On what he meant by failing to impose the plan after the break, Rowberry said: “In the first half we recognised when to play in behind and penetrate and we recognised when to build.

“In the second half we went to penetrate too early and I felt we needed to have a little bit more of taking the ball and playing to create chances off the back of that.

“It’s always difficult when you’ve had a run of defeats and we got a little bit nervous, but we stuck at it and kept going and going to ultimately come away with a point.

“One thing that we have showed today and throughout the week is how resilient the group is.

“I have learnt a lot about the players, the club, the supporters, my staff and that is important. We need to build on that now and keep going.

“I was really pleased with the point but I wanted the three. I felt we deserved it on our first half display and we just needed to stick to our game plan in the second.”

County were booed after Barrow became the ninth side in the last 10 league meetings to leave with the spoils.

There were a smattering of disgruntled punters at the final whistle against Carlisle and the boss shares their irritation at another game without success.

Huw Evans Agency (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“The fans were brilliant when we came out. I understand their frustrations and that is normal at any football club,” said Rowberry.

“I probably feel it a little bit more because I am from the town and I am a supporter myself but we are giving our all and I have no doubt we will start getting the run of results that we need and want.”

“Now we go onto the next game in a positive manner. [Leaders] Leyton Orient are going well but we’ve just got to give our all, it’s a thing in Newport that sometimes we come out from things well when our backs are against the wall.

“We know that we can keep getting better and better, so that’s the light at the end of the tunnel for us.”

Captain Matty Dolan will be assessed next week after missing the game with an ankle strain suffered against Forest Green Rovers in midweek.

West Ham loanee Thierry Nevers, who set up the opener with a strong run down the left, was replaced in the second half because he was on a booking.