NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Westley highlighted the spirit shown by his side in the second half as he described the 3-1 defeat at Stevenage as a “very positive afternoon.”

County remain five points from safety at the foot of the table after going down to an eighth successive League Two defeat at the Lamex Stadium.

Stevenage striker Matt Godden hit a hat-trick to kill the game off just after the hour but the Exiles did offer hope late on after the introduction of Marlon Jackson and Craig Reid.

Aaron Williams saw a goal disallowed before substitute Dan Butler struck an 89th-minute consolation goal.

“I thought it was a very positive afternoon,” said Westley, who made six changes and started with five new signings – including the returning David Pipe at right-back.

“It was always going to be difficult to start the game with five new lads in the side,” he added.

“That newness was always going to create a few misunderstandings here and there.

“It was inevitable that that was going to be the case and unfortunately in that early phase where the confusion was there and the players were settling down we conceded the goal.

“That’s a kick and a body blow but the reaction to that on the whole was good.

“We found our way back into the game slowly but surely – steadily throughout the half – but then we had the killer blow just before half-time with the totally uncharacteristic error by the goalkeeper.”

Joe Day attempted to shepherd the ball out for a throw on the right touchline but was robbed by Godden, who fired through a host of bodies to make it 2-0 as Day was stranded.

“He’ll hold his head and think ‘what was I doing?’ He’ll probably never do that again throughout his entire career,” said Westley.

“And to go in 2-0 down having worked really hard and given ourselves a platform was really difficult.”

He added: “The penalty looked soft from where I was but we didn’t drop our heads.

“We showed character, strength and resilience to fight back and get our goal. So for me there were lots of positives.”

The Exiles boss lost Jennison Myrie-Williams to a suspected twisted ankle after just three minutes and was without Sean Rigg and Josh Sheehan through injury.

Westley expects to add more new signings before next Saturday’s home clash with Colchester United.