Newport County AFC manager Hayden Mullins praised his side's defensive display in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Accrington Stanley, but admitted they lacked the creativity needed to take all three points.
County's first clean sheet since the opening day of the League Two season earned them a first point away from home and kept them 19th in the table, now with six points from seven games.
It was a result and a performance that left Mullins with mixed emotions.
“I think it was a fair reflection," said the Exiles boss. "I don't think I can remember us having anything, really, in terms of a big, big chance.
"I think the one at the end with Matty Jacob, it comes off the goalkeeper, another day, a little bit more luck, and that drops to us in the box, and we can finish.
“But we looked assured, we looked like a strong team. We started with a point, so it's important not to drop a point, and we take the away point. We just lacked a little bit of creativity at the final moment, and at the time, we needed it."
Mullins was happy with how a back three of Kyle Cameron, Lee Jenkins and Joe Thomas stifled the threat of five-goal Stanley striker Charlie Caton.
“I think the whole backline did really well," he said. "Everyone was diligent in their job. To come away here. It's always a tough game, and I think they make it tough for you.
“We nullified a lot of their threat, to be fair, and we knew that they were trying to get it in wide areas. For them, I think we kept the strikers quiet. I think the backline did a really good job along with Jordan Wright in goal - he didn't have too much to do.
“Caton is a threat; his record is good and we knew he'd be in good confidence," added the manager. "So, yeah, it was nice to see the backline so comfortable and combative and to keep a clean sheet away from home [is great]. I was just a little bit disappointed that we didn't add a goal to the performance. But, to take a point away from home is something to build on."
Mullins, whose side travel to Swindon Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, believes the battling qualities his side showed auger well for the challenges still to come.
"I think the positives for us were definitely the first point away from home," he continued. "We want to be a stronger team like this away from home.
"There's a lot of games and the season is a long, log season. These games will pop up every now and again and it's important that we're ready and we're right for them."
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