County aim to improve poor record at Colchester

Newport County hope their first win in eight games will come at Colchester United on Saturday - despite a pretty uninspiring record in that corner of south-east England.

County haven't won since their trip to Kent on 22 October, when goals from Kyle Hudlin and Matt Baker gave them an impressive 2-0 win at Gillingham in League Two.

They've since lost three games - including one in the FA Cup and one in the EFL Trophy - and drawn four.

And fans planning to follow the Exiles to Essex this weekend might travel more in hope than expectation given that modern-day County have only won once at Colchester in eight attempts.

That sole victory came in March 2021, goals from Joss Labadie and Padraig Amond giving Mike Flynn's Newport a 2-0 win to complete the double over The U's.

All of Newport's other trips to Colchester since 2016-17 have resulted in draws or losses, including a 2-1 defeat in March during the eight-match losing run that brought the 2023-24 campaign to a dismal end.

But Newport will be encouraged by performances in recent games, especially coming back from 2-0 down to earn a point at AFC Wimbledon on 3 December.

County have drawn their last three League Two matches, all of which have been against opponents who are currently in the top nine of the table.

Newport return to action at Colchester after Saturday's game with Carlisle United at Rodney Parade was postponed due to concerns over Storm Darragh.