NEWPORT County AFC caretaker manager Sean McCarthy signed off with a clean sheet and a point at Colchester United and he believes there is plenty for new boss Graham Westley to build on.

Westley watched from the stands at the Weston Homes Community Stadium with Dino Maamria, his assistant at Stevenage and Preston North End.

He takes charge on Monday morning and McCarthy is positive that the new man can steer the club away from the bottom of League Two.

“I would have liked to have gone out with three points but a clean sheet never loses you games,” said McCarthy.

“The lads put in a gritty performance and I’m sure our supporters who came up enjoyed that.

“It shows there is something for the new manager to work with.

“I think he’s got a good track record and I’m sure he will be the man to get us out of this situation that we’re in.

“We don’t want to be where we are in the league but we have got two games in hand and this is a stepping stone.”

Chances were scarce in Colchester but McCarthy was pleased to avoid conceding at the death as the Exiles have done on numerous occasions this season.

“Marlon [Jackson] did have a chance at the end with a header and on another day he might have scored but it’s a point away from home and it’s a good point,” he added.

“You’ve always got it in the back of your mind – are they going to score in the last five minutes or even in injury-time?

“It has happened but we defended properly today as a team and we’ve got the bonus of a clean sheet.”