Josh Sheehan, a 23-year-old midfield player from Carmarthenshire, caught the eye during Newport County’s 1-0 defeat against Stevenage away.
Former Cardiff City striker Alex Revell scored the only goal of the game after 85 minutes for a Stevenage team who had Kurtis Guthrie sent off six minutes before half-time.
Former Swansea man Sheehan, from Pembrey in West Wales, only went on after 89 minutes, but he gave Stevenage some scary moments.
Manager Mike Flynn said: “Josh did really well when he went on. He’s been hit and miss a few times this season and listen, nobody wants him to get going more than me.
📹 HD HIGHLIGHTS: 10 man #StevenageFC dig-in to claim victory over #NCAFC thanks to late Revell header. 🔥#WeAreStevenage pic.twitter.com/MA5xC6MYXN
— Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) January 2, 2019
“On his day, Josh is a great player and he has to do that week in week out.”
Flynn was also delighted with the 150 fans who travelled to Stevenage, saying: “The fans didn’t stop.
“They were supportive throughout and I’m sorry we couldn’t give them the three points.
“It wasn’t for a lack of trying. The boys really did hard, but missed too many chances. Those are chances they would have been putting away a couple of weeks ago.”
The Exiles are six points off the top seven after their defeat against a 10-man Stevenage team.
“We missed too many chances and gave away an easy goal – simple as that,” said Flynn.
💬 There was relief for Revs after scoring yesterday's winner & the striker now issues challenge to record back-to-back wins. 💪#StevenageFC #WeAreStevenage https://t.co/WdK0JMTIA8
— Stevenage FC 🔴⚪ (@StevenageFC) January 2, 2019
“I’m not going to start making excuses – we had near enough a similar team to the one that beat Stevenage at our place, I think 10 of them were out on the pitch that beat Stevenage at Rodney Parade.
“If we don’t score, then we have to keep a clean sheet – if we weren’t going to score then it should have been 0-0.
“If you don’t take your chances then you get bitten.”
Newport County dominated for long periods after Guthrie’s dismissal on 39 minutes, but County simply could not score.
They now focus on Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup third round clash with Leicester City at Rodney Parade (4.30pm).
Newport County AFC (3-4-1-2): Day, Forbes (Harris 62), Demetriou (capt), O’Brien, Franks (Marsh-Brown 83), Butler, Bennett (Sheehan 89), Bakinson, Willmott, Amond, Matt. Subs not used: Townsend, Pipe, Dolan
Stevenage FC (4-4-2): Farman, James-Wildin, Cuthbert (capt), Nugent, Hunt (Timlin 45), Kennedy (Revell 60), Byrom (Henry 77), Iontton, Seddon, Newton, Guthrie. Subs not used: Wilkinson, Ball, Vancooten, Campbell-Ryce
Referee: Andy Haines
Attendance: 2,299 (150 away)