Newport more than matched League One leaders Plymouth – Mullins

[Huw Evans Picture Agency] Newport County boss Hayden Mullins believes his side showed how far they have come despite suffering a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat by Plymouth Arygle in the EFL Trophy. The Exiles looked set for back-to-back group stage wins through Kieron Evans' deflected strike and Yahya Bamba's penalty, only for a much-changed Plymouth to stage a late comeback after turning to their “so-called starters” to earn a draw before claiming the extra point on penalties. Mullins, who has been in charge for less than three months, said: "Playing against a team full of confidence, top of their division, the boys more than matched them. "We get a point for the game. We're unbeaten at home [in 90 minutes] still. But it feels like we probably should have won the game. "We went 2-0 up and the first goal was a nothing ball. [Lee] Jenkins, for all the world, he's just going to head the ball back straight over their heads and he slipped right at the last minute. That let them in and they gained the momentum. "We could have lost it in the end, but Shaun [MacDonald] made a brilliant save from the penalty in open play to take it to the draw." A 2-2 draw after 90 minutes means that Newport's unbeaten run technically extends to six preserving their impressive record at Rodney Parade, albeit a defeat on penalties allowed Plymouth to move top of EFL Trophy Southern Group E. Despite making 10 changes, the performance by his player has left Mullins with a selection "conundrum" ahead of the visit of Colchester United on Saturday, 10 October (1500 BST). County were without Shaquille Gwengwe and Ciaran Brennan through illness against Argyle, although Gwengwe trained away from the group and will be assessed before Saturday. With strikers Christian Doidge and Ged Garner the only fully fit senior Newport forwards, there was further encouragement for Mullins with both Kion Etete and James Crole returning to the grass. "We're not far away from being full strength," added Mullins.