NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn hopes to have “two or three” players back from injury for tomorrow night’s trip to Bury after his depleted side went down to a 4-1 defeat at Crawley Town.

Flynn was without Mark O’Brien, Tyler Forbes, Matty Dolan, Tyreeq Bakinson, Andrew Crofts, Robbie Willmott and Keanu Marsh-Brown at the Checkatrade.com Stadium on Saturday.

He named himself on the bench alongside teenagers Jay Foulston and Tom Hillman and watched his side suffer a comprehensive defeat to drop to fourth in the League Two table.

Fraser Franks’ late red card added to County’s misery and Flynn admitted that his players were second best.

“They weren’t up to it and they got beaten by the better team, simple as that,” said the Exiles boss.

“If it wasn’t for Joe Day it would have been more. I’m glad to get out of it at 4-1, if I’m honest.”

County were fortunate to trail by just one goal at the break, but they looked capable of claiming a point or more once Jamille Matt’s eighth goal of the season drew them level on 59 minutes.

Franks then conceded a penalty just five minutes later and that was pivotal, according to Flynn.

“I fancied us when we got back to 1-1. We were the better team [at that stage] and the penalty changed everything,” he said.

“After the second goal we were chasing the game and they finished us off.

“We tried to get ourselves back in the game and, even though it’s disappointing to concede [the third and fourth goals] I can see why we did.”

Franks was dismissed for a late challenge on Crawley substitute Ashley Nathaniel-George, who had scored the hosts’ fourth.

The defender now faces a three-match ban but, when asked if he would appeal the decision, Flynn said: “I’ll have to have a look at it, but my first instinct is yes. Definitely.”

Matt could be a doubt for tomorrow night, but the manager is hopeful of some good news on the injury front.

On Matt, he said: “He was feeling his hip flexor and that’s why we had to take him off.

“At 4-1 down there was no point in risking him so we had to take him off.”

Looking ahead to Bury, Flynn added: “We need a reaction, otherwise it’s going to be a long [and] gloomy journey.

“We’ll bounce back. We’ve lost three points and it’s frustrating, but we’ve got to get back to the drawing board and hopefully have a few more players back.

“I don’t want to make excuses but it’s a small squad and when you’ve got seven out it’s a bit of a kick in the teeth.

“I hope we will have some back, otherwise we’re right in it!

“We’ll know more on Monday but hopefully two or three will be back.”