AN OWN goal from Darren Jones and a scrappy second from Tom Pett gave Stevenage a 2-0 win over Newport County AFC at Rodney Parade last night. Here's what we learned...

1. County need to find a way to play on that pitch

Pictures of the sand on Rodney Parade were mistaken for frost by many on one of the mildest nights for weeks. The pitch is not going to get any better for some time and it’s likely only to get worse when temperatures do drop again or we have sustained periods of rain.

It was evident that the bounce of the ball is very unpredictable in certain areas but the likes of Josh Sheehan, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Jack Jebb tried to play the ball on the ground. At the moment that simply isn’t possible and another more direct and more physical approach is needed.

2. Jon Parkin is being missed

Rhys Healey worked tirelessly on his own up front but it was a miserable 22nd birthday for the Cardiff City loan star, who had very little support from his teammates in attack.

How he would have benefited from the physical presence and, to use a Graham Westley phrase, the game-intelligent play of Jon Parkin.

3. Reinforcements needed in January

Westley has already said that he will look to move players on in January and make room in the squad and in the budget for more new arrivals and this display will only have reinforced the need for fresh blood.

Even if he can persuade Cardiff to let Healey stay then he will still need two new strikers as the youngster looks the only forward in the current squad likely to threaten opposition defences on a regular basis.

4. Action needed on dwindling crowds

Only 1,800 turned up to witness County’s game in hand that could have seen them climb out of the bottom two and attendances are only going one way at the moment.

With the excitement generated by the potential FA Cup trip to Liverpool the club could look at selling ticket bundles – meaning fans would have to attend Saturday’s home clash with Morecambe and the replay with Plymouth to be in with a chance of getting a ticket to Anfield.

5. FA Cup a distraction

Not that Plymouth will be quaking in their boots when they review the DVD of this game. If County repeat this performance in the replay they have very little chance of turning that dream FA Cup trip into a reality.

And Westley must ensure that the enormity of the Plymouth clash and what a positive result would mean for the club’s future doesn’t distract the players from picking up crucial points in League Two.