Saturday 4 January 2014 19:40, UK
Justin Edinburgh felt Newport paid a high price for their profligacy as they slipped to a 2-1 home defeat to Northampton.
Bottom club Northampton pulled off a shock win thanks to goals from on-loan Everton youngster Hallam Hope and midfielder Darren Carter either side of half-time, while goalkeeper Matt Duke saved home midfielder Andy Sandell's late penalty. "We created enough chances to win three games," Edinburgh said. "That's probably the most chances we've created in any one game for a long period of time, but we haven't been ruthless enough in front of goal to make those chances count." Teenager Hope gave Northampton the lead with a smart finish after 29 minutes. County hit back in first-half injury time through Harry Worley's towering header from a corner. But the visitors were back in front two minutes into the second half thanks to Carter's stunning 25-yard strike. Newport's Sandell had a late penalty saved by Duke after David Pipe had been fouled by Lee Collins. "The goals we gave away were also very poor," added Edinburgh. "We scored an equaliser at a great time and then we gave them a gift of a goal for the second. "I applaud the players for the amount of chances and the way they played in the second half, but let's not dress it up, we had more than enough chances to win the game. "But we win and lose as a team. We can defend better and we can attack better."