NEWPORT County AFC boss Jimmy Dack blasted his side for missing a host of chances as they went down 2-0 to play-off rivals Exeter City at St James Park.

Dack felt the Exiles ‘dominated’ the game but they couldn’t find the back of the net and were made to pay by their hosts in the final 15 minutes.

David Wheeler beat Joe Day to break the deadlock on 77 minutes and Ryan Harley made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in stoppage time after Ismail Yakubu had been sent off for fouling Wheeler in the box.

“I really can’t believe we lost that game,” said Dack. “Up until the goal in the 77th minute we completely controlled the game.

“I lost count of the chances we had, we’ve had four or five one-on-ones.

“[Mark] Byrne should have scored really and he knows it.

“We’re going to look back on that one and say we let it slip because we controlled the game and just lot a bit of concentration, lost possession in a stupid area and they went and punished us.

“I’m really disappointed.”

Byrne’s was perhaps the best opportunity of the lot for the visitors but they also saw Yan Klukowski hit the post in the first half and Yakubu twice come close before his sending off.

“You’ve got to take your chances,” said Dack. “If you don’t take them away from home you’re in trouble.

“It was just poor execution in front of goal.

“I can’t fault the boys’ effort; I thought we were fantastic right up until their goal.

“The game plan worked. We let them have the ball and made it hard for them.

“We frustrated them up until 77 minutes but one lapse in concentration at this level and they punish you.”

Dack had no issue with the penalty but he wasn’t happy with the red card that rules Yakubu out of the home clash with Bury this coming Saturday.

“Ish probably fouled him but he was going away from goal so we’ll accept the penalty but not the red card,” said the Exiles boss, who insisted his side would continue to fight to the end to secure a play-off spot.

“This is the business end and it’s whether you’ve got the quality to get into those play-offs,” he added.

“They’re all big games at this stage. We’ve always fought from the start of the season and we’ll keep fighting until the end.”