NEWPORT County boss Justin Edinburgh believes team chemistry is behind his side’s remarkable run of form as victory at Carlisle extended their unbeaten League Two streak to eight games, writes Matt Hill.

The Exiles bossed the first half as Yan Klukowski headed home after nine minutes – and that dominance continued in the second half through Ismail Yakubu’s header.

Brad Potts’ goal was a momentum changer for the Cumbrians but a counter-attacking strike from Shaun Jeffers sealed it at the death, despite a David Amoo consolation.

It is quite a turnaround for a team that opened up the season with four consecutive defeats and Edinburgh believes everything is clicking both on and off the pitch.

“Everyone in football knows that if you’ve got that togetherness and camaraderie in the dressing room then it’s a big part of getting success,” he said.

“We’re in a position now where every single member of the squad, including substitutes that come on, are willing to come into a game situation and give their all.

“This run is all about the players, not me. I think that is something like one defeat in 16 matches. I was telling the lads to not underestimate just how big an achievement that is.

“I feel like we have a much stronger group of players this season. We are competitive, and that’s one thing we will do every game, we will compete – and that always gives you a chance.

“We started the season terribly. There must be tremendous credit given to the entire football club because we’ve all stuck together and got through it.”

Chris Zebroski found space on the right flank in the ninth minute before delivering a cross onto the head of Klukowski, which the midfielder guided expertly into the far corner past Dan Hanford.

It should have been two moments later, when Hanford turned Ryan Jackson’s point-blank effort around the post after a half-cleared corner.

The Exiles ended the first half on top and got their rewards when Yakubu doubled the advantage almost immediately after the restart.

The centre-back found the net from an Andy Sandell corner but in the 52nd minute, before Potts’ neat finish from just inside the box swung the momentum Carlisle’s way.

The Exiles began to dig deep as the home side rallied, with Steven Rigg heading wide from a Potts cross before home substitute Mark Beck had a strong penalty appeal turned down.

The pressure continued to mount as Amoo robbed Jackson and saw his curled shot cleared off the line, while Jamie Stephens had to be at his best to tip a Danny Grainger free-kick around the post.

But the hosts failed to make their increased pressure pay off and substitute Jeffers’ low strike in the 92nd minute wrapped up a fine away win, as Amoo scored with virtually the last kick of the game.

Edinburgh added: “We made an excellent start to the game getting an early goal, and then scoring very quickly in the second half, but I thought we made hard work of it towards the end. Ultimately we’ll look back at it as another excellent away victory.

“Although the scoreline ended up 3-2, I thought we were more comfortable than that. Our strikers and wing-backs caused problems for them all day and I don’t think they could handle us in those areas.

“I have to salute our magnificent fans once again, who have made the long journey up here and backed us superbly.

“We will do everything we can now in this break we have to get injured players back on the grass and give us a further boost to keep the run going.”