JUSTIN Edinburgh had no complaints after his side were beaten at Luton Town, but believes the scoreline flattered the Hatters.

County’s 3-0 reverse was the second time in a month that they’ve conceded three and lost at Luton after their FA Cup first round exit, but was also a first league defeat for County since the start of October.

Their first loss in ten games and second in 18 was sealed by conceding goals within six minutes of the start of both halves and Edinburgh admitted he was disappointed with the manner in which the game got away from the Exiles, but has backed his charges to respond quickly.

“We are a bit unlucky I think and I don’t think it is a fair reflection on the game at all but fair play to Luton, they were ruthless in front of goal and took their chances when they needed to,” he explained.

“We lost concentration in our own box and weren’t ruthless enough in their penalty area.

“We started both halves slowly and that’s what cost us, you can’t come to a club like Luton and find yourselves 2-0 down when you’ve had plenty of chances yourself.

“The first goal is only the second we’ve conceded from a set-piece which is a good record, but the timing of the goals killed the game for us. We still had chances and will reflect on that, we have to dust ourselves down and move on because I felt we surrendered the result today.

“We weren’t at our best and you have to admit that, so we don’t take consolation in the fact it’s our first defeat in ten.

Edinburgh also admitted the absence of red-hot striker Aaron O’Connor through suspension impacted Newport’s proficiency in front of goal.

“We certainly missed Aaron O’Connor, when you team is doing well you don’t want to change things too much and obviously we also lost (defender) Andrew Hughes this week as well, so it was a little bit tougher for us.

“Aaron has been in that sort of form where chances of all types are going in for him and it wasn’t an ideal time to be changing the side around. The chances we had in the first half especially, we’d have liked them to fall to Aaron.”

Edinburgh has backed his charges to bounce back quickly with games against Plymouth on Boxing Day and Cheltenham on December 28 looming large.

“We weren’t at a good enough level today but we’ve got big games to come, they are key and they all are now, we’ll look forward to two big games.

“I don’t want us to go away and say losing is Ok, but it’s one defeat in ten and we have to remember that and look forward to improving in the next game.”

Edinburgh backed goalkeeper Jamie Stephens despite his mistake leading to the second Luton goal.

“Jamie won’t enjoy the second goal, but I’d rather him be positive and come looking for the ball than not so I’ll reflect on that and the good saves that he made in the game.”