Iron striker Paddy Madden believes it was a point gained against Newport County at Rodney Parade, despite a late Chris Zebroski goal restricting United to a draw.
The visiting side struggled to find a first half rhythm on a sandy pitch, and went into the break behind after Lee Minshull gave County a deserved lead midway through the opening period.United rallied after the restart, and it was Madden who brought them level just after the hour-mark when he stroked home an Eddie Nolan cross from close-range.
Things got better for the Iron when a Dave Syers goal seven minutes from time appeared to set them on course for victory, but they were to be undone in the final minute when the dangerous Chris Zebroski reacted quickest to finish from close-range and salvage a draw for Newport.
Despite that set-back, Madden told The Iron Player: “It will be a good point, come the end of the season.
“Newport have taken a lot of points off teams at home on that pitch, so to get a point is good but we’re still disappointed we didn’t bring home three. We’ll take the positives. We’re still 18 games unbeaten, which is a good run.
“We should go into the Northampton game full of confidence, and Russ [Wilcox] will get us going for that one.”
Arguably the main reason for United struggling to get a foothold in the opening period was the state of the pitch, with the Iron being unable to form any kind of rhythm in near-impossible conditions for attractive football to prevail.
That was not lost on Madden, who added: “It’s probably the worst pitch I’ve played on in my whole career, but you have to adapt and do the best you can.
“I think in the first half we were slow out of the blocks, but in the second half we showed what we are all about. It’s very disappointing to concede a late goal, but it’s 18 games unbeaten which is very good.”
The home side certainly seemed more accustomed to the playing conditions during the opening period as they opted for a direct approach.
That physical style caused problems for the Iron initially, and Madded admitted: “That’s their game; whacking it long to their strikers.
“We had to adjust, as that’s the way they play, so it turned out to be a good point. Russ talked to us [at half-time] and said we needed to win our battles.
“They’re a very physical side, and obviously we matched that in the second half. It’s disappointing to concede the second goal, but these things happen and we’ll move onto the next game.”
On a more personal level, Madden’s goal meant the Irishman has now registered twice in his last three outings, and he added: “I think in the games I’ve played so far I’ve done well.
“It’s different for me, as it’s more of a battling league when I’m used to getting the ball down and playing football. As I say, you have to try to adapt to these things, and I think I’m doing that.”
See much more from Paddy Madden, Sean McAllister and Russ Wilcox on The Iron Player.