Newport County 1, Blackpool 3
Manager Mike Flynn and his Newport County players are clinging on to hopes of League Two survival despite suffering defeat at Rodney Parade.
County are second from bottom, seven points from safety, but they have a game in hand.
That fixture is played on Tuesday when Luton Town are visitors to Rodney Parade (7.45pm).
The loss of influential midfield player Joss Labadie with a hip injury just before half-time was a massive blow for Newport, who produced a battling display.
County, though, could not match Blackpool’s pace and the visitors emerged winners thanks to a controversial penalty and a late third goal when the home team were pressing for an equaliser.
Bright Osayi-Samuel find Blackpool in front after 16 minutes, ahead, while Mark Cullen hit the bar and a post.
Cullen scored from a penalty after referee Brett Huxtable initially seemed to wave play on and put his hands behind his back before pointing to the spot.
Alex Samuel scored for Newport after 68 minutes to give County hope, but Osayi-Samuel broke to score a late third for Blackpool.
That came during injury time when Newport were pressing hard and sent goalkeeper Joe Day up for a corner.
“I can’t fault the boys’ effort again,” said Flynn. “We gave away a poor first goal and I don’t think it was a penalty.
“Their keeper made a great save at 2-1. I just think we needed to be on the move a little bit more in the box and anticipating more instead of reacting.
“We went for the equaliser an wanted to salvage something and they went and nicked the third.”
Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer said he was struck by missiles – thought to be boiled sweets – thrown by Newport County supporters at the end of the game.
Bowyer says he was struck on the the face and expects both the Football Association and Newport to investigate.
“The FA have to act, it’s as simple as that,” said Bowyer.”Newport County should act as well.
“I’ve been hit with objects. The lack of stewarding was incredible. These scenes shouldn’t be seen anywhere.
“It will be investigated, the referee (Huxtable) has made me aware of that, it will be in his report.
“There were sweets thrown, hard-boiled sweets.”
Newport County: Day, O’Brien, Nelson (Barnum-Bobb 45), Bennett, Pipe, Labadie (Demetriou 41), Owen-Evans (Gordon 77), Rigg, Butler, Samuel, Bird. Subs: Randall, Jackson, Bittner, Williams.
Blackpool: Lyness, Mellor, Aldred, Robertson, Daniel, Danns (Black 80), Flores (Aimson 90), Payne, Delfouneso, Cullen (Matt 73), Osayi-Samuel. Subs: Slocombe, Philliskirk, Odelusi, Correia
Referee: Brett Huxtable
Attendance: 2,427
