GRAHAM Coughlan’s frustration at Newport County AFC’s failure to protect the lead three times against Walsall was intensified by the Saddlers’ hat-trick hero being a summer transfer target.

The Exiles should have recorded a much-needed League Two win on Friday night thanks to a Bryn Morris double either side of a Will Evans goal.

However, the West Midlands side pegged County back three times with all of their goals coming from teenage striker Freddie Draper.

The 19-year-old is on a season-long loan from League One Lincoln City and caught the eye of Coughlan when playing for Drogheda in the League of Ireland earlier this year.

County looked into signing the Imps prospect but he headed for the Bescot Stadium at the start of July rather than Rodney Parade.

Draper scored three goals against the Exiles to take his tally for the campaign to eight in 12 games.

“That’s another player that we tried to get in the summer, [Swindon’s] Jake Young last week as well,” said Coughlan.

“We spoke to Freddie, who had a good spell across in the League of Ireland, and it’s heartbreaking when you are going after these players and they opt to go elsewhere then haunt you.”

County ended up signing Bristol City prospect Seb Palmer-Houlden who, like Draper, is a physical forward despite being a teenager.

He made an exciting start to the season before pulling a hamstring in August’s Carabao Cup defeat to Premier League Brentford on penalties.

Palmer-Houlden is targeting a December return with County keeping the loan going in the hope he can pick up where he left off for the second half of the campaign.

Walsall, meanwhile, hope that Lincoln don’t recall Draper in January after his impressive start in the midlands.

“He’s got bags of ability and it’s a special night for him – his first career hat-trick. I’m really pleased for him,” said boss Mat Sadler.

“Whisper it, because he’s doing some fantastic things! We’ve got a great relationship with Lincoln, and we hope to see Freddie for as long as we can in a Walsall shirt.”