Mid Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim has called for patience to be shown to his young team believing they have further improvements in them.

The Exiles ended a three game League Two losing run with a 2-0 win at Gillingham on Tuesday night.

And Jardim declared: “This was about the team, these boys have been brilliant every day at the training ground.

“It's not easy to go through a spell of three defeats, but that is where you show the type of person you are and the character you have.

“I can assure everyone at the club – and the fans – stick with us, be a little bit more patient, because we can only get better.”

The Newport triumph was only their second on the road in the league this season, following a 1-0 win at Morecambe on August 31.

A doughty defensive display – after first half goals from Wales under-21 defender Matt Baker and giant striker Kyle Hudlin - also earned Newport just their second league clean sheet of the campaign.

Going into the match Newport had the joint-worst defensive record in League Two, having conceded 24 goals. But that dubious honour is now held by Carlisle, who have leaked 27 goals.

Jardim cited errors which cost Newport in their run of three defeats, at Bradford, Harrogate and in last Friday's 3-0 reverse against visitors Chesterfield.

The Newport boss said: “You expect them (mistakes) to happen during the season. Sometimes they all happening at the same period and I think that is what was happening (to us).

“The clean sheet is massive for us and can actually give us confidence that we are good when it comes to defending.”

Newport signed 17 players during the summer transfer window, every one of them bar Courtney Baker-Richardson the age of 24 or under.

Newcastle loanee Jamie Miley made his league bow at Gillingham and Jardim thinks some of the players are still adapting the physical rigours of League Two.

Jardim said: “We have to build that type of match fitness in the squad. All the boys who are used to playing at this level do not need that, but these young boys need a bit of extra care.”

Newport continued their remarkable run at the Priestfield Stadium where they have won on their last three league visits, consigning Gillingham to a fifth consecutive defeat.

But with Newport having ended their poor run, with injured players still to return, the Exiles are currently 13th in the table, just three points outside the play-offs and 10 points clear of the bottom two.