NEWPORT County AFC saw two points slip from their grasp as Cheltenham Town equalised with just four minutes to go at Rodney Parade. Here are the talking points...

Four points out of 30 for the Exiles

Ben Tozer’s late leveller earned Cheltenham a point and extended County’s winless run to 10 games in League Two.

Michael Flynn’s men were third in the table on 26 points from 13 games when they beat Scunthorpe United on October 19, but four draws and six defeats in the 10 league matches since have seen them drop to 14th on 30 points from 23.

With a 13-point advantage over bottom club Stevenage, relegation should not be an issue and the play-off places are still within reach with games in hand but the Exiles have to end this sorry slump quickly.

Finger of blame pointed at Maloney

Flynn was furious with substitute Taylor Maloney for not tracking Tozer’s run into the box for the equaliser in the 86th minute.

The midfielder, who is on loan from Charlton Athletic, was also caught out in similar fashion for the goal County conceded at Exeter City on Boxing Day.

And Flynn’s comments after the match – “This isn’t under-23 football where results don’t matter. Results matter and by not doing his job, he’s cost us two points” – suggest that Maloney could be on his way back to London this month.

More missed chances also prove costly

Tozer’s late strike would have been nothing more than a consolation for Cheltenham if the Exiles had shown more cutting edge up front.

Jamille Matt was unfortunate to be in the wrong place when he blocked Joss Labadie’s shot just before the break but he produced a weak header from a teasing George Nurse cross in the second half and Tristan Abrahams also wasted another opportunity to double County’s advantage when he hooked over from close range.

Scoring goals has been a problem all season for Flynn’s men with just 21 in 23 matches due to a lack of creativity from midfield and poor finishing, and the manager is looking to add to his attacking options this month.

South Wales Argus:

Cup distraction for Flynn’s men

Saturday’s trip to Millwall in the FA Cup third round could be viewed as an unwanted distraction for the Exiles as they bid to end their miserable run of form in League Two.

Alternatively, it could provide a big confidence-booster if they can match last year’s draw at Championship play-off hopefuls or go one better and earn a shock win at The Den.

The current form of both sides suggests that it should be a comfortable home win but much will depend on how seriously the Lions take the tie. Flynn will pick a strong side and they have shown over the past two years that they are capable of raising their game on the big occasion.

Read more: Newport County boss blames Charlton Athletic loanee for dropped points