NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn wants his side to be more clinical, but he’s happy for them to keep winning the hard way after another dogged display secured the three points against Scunthorpe United on Saturday.

Josh Sheehan’s first goal of the season earned County a 2-1 victory after a Mark O’Brien own goal had cancelled out Padraig Amond’s opener.

The win saw Flynn’s men climb back to third in the League Two table, three points off the top with a game in hand ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Crawley Town.

But it was far from comfortable with the visitors threatening to claim a share of the spoils in the closing stages.

And the Exiles boss admitted afterwards that he’d like his side to develop a killer instinct in attack, rather than relying on their excellent defensive record to secure the points.

“We should have made it more comfortable than we did because they came at us quite strong in the last 10 to 15 minutes,” said Flynn.

“They’ve got a very strong squad and can mix things up and change things so I’m delighted to get all three points."

South Wales Argus:

County have scored just 14 times in 13 league games so far this season and their five home wins have all been by a one-goal margin with two 2-0 victories on the road, five draws and one defeat.

“We don’t do things the easy way,” added Flynn. “It’s a nightmare.

“A comfortable win wouldn’t go amiss. It would give my heart a bit of a rest.

“One of the problems with us is that we try to be too precise at times – just put it in an area and he’ll either get there or he won’t but you never know unless you try.

“But I don’t mind doing things the hard way. I’ve never been given things on a plate – we’ll just do it out way.”

Top scorer Amond headed in his sixth goal of the season and his strike partner Jamille Matt was unlucky not to grab his third of the campaign when his header was saved at point-blank range by Scunthorpe goalkeeper Rory Watson.

“Jamille has got to get his shooting boots on,” said the manager.

“The amount of work he does [is great, but] he’s having a bit of a hard time at the minute – he’s not quite catching shots how he’d like or keepers are making great saves.

“But it’ll turn for him because of the amount of work he does. He does the right things and he’s usually in the right places so I’m sure he’ll score a few more.”

Defender Ryan Inniss made his first appearance in the league since September 7 after completing his five-game ban and he was dominant in both boxes.

“I thought he was excellent,” said Flynn. “He was a man mountain and him and OB [O’Brien] dealt with their aerial threat.

“They were solid, aggressive and they’re leaders.”

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