Newport County 2-2 Carlisle United: Nine-man Exiles draw in front of new manager
- Published
Newport's Dom Telford now has five goals in eight games in all competitions this season
New manager James Rowberry watched from the stands as nine-man Newport County drew with Carlisle United.
Second-from bottom Carlisle led after just 45 seconds thanks to Joe Riley.
Newport's Dom Telford struck from the edge of the box to equalise and three minutes later his fine run and finish put the hosts 2-1 up.
But Carlisle levelled with Zach Clough's second-half penalty after Ed Upson was sent off for handball, before Ryan Haynes received a second booking.
That left Newport hanging on in the closing stages but, thanks to a flurry of superb saves by goalkeeper Joe Day, they earned a point which lifts them up to 13th in the League Two table, three points adrift of the play-off places.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Exiles had announced the appointment of former Cardiff City first-team coach Rowberry as successor to Mike Flynn, who left earlier this month after almost five years in charge.
This was the fourth and final league game of Wayne Hatswell's temporary reign, and Telford's two excellent goals looked set to give the caretaker boss a second victory with the Exiles well on top at the break.
But Upson's red card for using his hand to deflect a goalbound shot - and Clough's subsequent penalty - changed the complexion of the match.
Carlisle, who are still without a permanent manager after sacking Chris Beech, came back strongly after the break and created several chances but Day's saves meant they had to settle for a point which keeps them 23rd in the table.
Newport caretaker manager Wayne Hatswell: "I'm a little bit shell-shocked. That's two points dropped.
"We've had enough chances to be three or four up at half-time. Then it's on the referee's decision [for the penalty] and it's like he's just guessed it.
"We are just hanging on then and it's backs against the wall. Credit it to them."