JOE Parker’s Football League debut was hardly the stuff that dreams are made of but he’s certain that he and Newport County AFC can enjoy a successful end to the season, writes Andrew Penman.

The 19-year-old striker came off the bench to replace captain Andy Sandell with around half an hour to go during Saturday’s crushing 4-0 defeat at Cambridge United.

It was a moment to remember for the Gloucester-born youngster on a day to forget for the Exiles as a whole.

“Last time I featured was pre-season so I was delighted to get some minutes,” said Parker.

“The result obviously wasn’t the best but I was really pleased to get on and make my Football League debut.”

It was a big step forward for the youngster who has enjoyed two spells on loan at former club Gloucester City this season under the guidance of ex-County director of football Tim Harris.

“I’ve been out on loan at Gloucester and played a few matches and I feel like my match-fitness is coming back,” he said.

“I had two months there to start with and it went well.

“I was getting a lot of minutes and then I fractured my wrist up at Lowestoft and that put me back a little bit.

“But I went back there for another month and got some goals and it helped me because I know the manager and the team well.

“There’s no point sitting on the bench if you can be getting minutes elsewhere so I’ve done that and now I want to kick on here,” he added.

“It was good experience on Saturday and obviously I’m still young and learning but I want to get some more minutes.

“The competition is strong in the squad but I don’t see that as a bad thing.

“You need that to push you on and if you deserve your spot the gaffer will see that and put you in.

"As a team we need to bounce back next week. The incredible run we were on has come to an end and we need to respond as quickly as possible and make sure Cambridge was just a one-off."