Graham Coughlan: Newport County manager 'mightily relieved' after two big wins
- Published
Graham Coughlan and Harry Charsley celebrate Newport's win at Morecambe
Newport County manager Graham Coughlan is hoping two eye-catching wins in four days signal the end of one of his most challenging spells in football.
The Exiles have emerged from a difficult injury-hit few weeks with consecutive League Two victories.
An upset win over leaders Stockport County was followed by becoming the first side to win a league game at Morecambe this season, both ending 2-1.
"It was one of the toughest periods I have ever had," Coughlan said.
"It was horrendous for me if I am being honest. It was so tough trying to get a team out, three or four players on the bench, just trying to keep the club going, trying to keep the players going, just trying to keep the belief and the spirit.
"I did not want to make excuses but I am mightily relieved we have come through that."
Newport have been hit hard by injuries to senior players, but have seen the return from the treatment table of defender James Clarke, striker Seb Palmer-Houlden, midfielder Bryn Morris and - as a substitute against Morecambe - Harry Charsley.
For Tuesday night's win at the Mazuma Stadium, Coughlan had the relative luxury of naming seven substitutes in a league game for the first time in a month.
He pinpointed the return of Bristol City loanee Palmer-Houlden who scored at Morecambe.
"It is no coincidence he has taken part in the last two games and we have won the last two," Coughlan said.
"We have one or two coming back and it was great to get Harry Charsley back on the pitch as well.
"Hopefully now we might be able to hit a bit of form, we might be able to build on it and we might be able to get one or two more back."
Midfielder Aaron Wildig is approaching a return after injury but Newport are still without defenders Declan Drysdale and Josh Seberry along with long-term injury victims Offrande Zanzala, defender Kyle Jameson and Liverpool loanee Adam Lewis.
Newport had been five points above the relegation zone in 20th in the table, but the pair of wins against two of the tougher teams in the division have seen the Exiles rise to 15th - with their tally of 25 points leaving them just six below the play-off places.
They can now rest easier at their improved position as the league takes a break for the FA Cup second round, with Newport hosting National League side Barnet on Saturday.
Barnet are third in the National League but come into the tie on a run of four successive league defeats.
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