FA Cup: Wilkin disappointed with manner of exit

Wilkin felt Newport County dealt with the conditions better and said: “Going two goals down so early gave us a mountain to climb but all credit to Newport who deserve to go through. They managed the second half well and used the difficult conditions better than we did.

“In saying that, I thought my players showed great character to keep going after conceding two early goals and getting one back before the break gave us something to go for in the second half.

“But we didn’t really get up a head of steam and never really troubled Newport.

“That was disappointing for all the supporters who travelled down, they stayed with us throughout and were a credit. I am only disappointed we didn’t give them more to shout about tonight.

“At times we moved the ball very well and asked questions of them. But you cannot gift good teams two easy goals and we paid the price.”

Looking ahead, Wilkin was quick to focus on the forthcoming run of Vanarama National League fixtures as his side look to pull away form the lower reaches of the table, starting with Saturday’s clash with Stalybridge Celtic at St James Park.

He added: “We have to get ourselves back together and get ready for Saturday. It has been great fun in the cup but we focus now on starting to earn three points in league matches to lift us up the table.”

Newport boss John Sheridan added: “At 2-0 I think we should have made the game a lot easier than it was. Their goal was very sloppy on our part and it gives the opposition a little bit of belief.

“I had a little dig at the players at halftime, I don’t think we were seeing the game out, similar to the first game. But full respect to Brackley, they came and gave us a game.”