Michael Flynn post Harrogate Town

Manager Michael Flynn says Newport County AFC must quickly eradicate mistakes from their game if they harbour any hopes of gaining promotion this season.

County suffered back-to-back Sky Bet League Two defeats for the first time this season after succumbing to a 2-1 loss against Harrogate Town on Saturday afternoon.

The Exiles took the lead after Luke Gambin's effort deflected off Jake Scrimshaw, but they were pegged back after Josh March's equaliser before Aaron Martin sealed the deal for the home side, who enjoyed a numerical advantage for the last 17 minutes after Liam Shephard's dismissal.

The result leaves County without a victory in their last eight league outings, and Flynn says his side must cut out costly errors to stay in the hunt for promotion.

"Mistakes are creeping in and we’re getting punished for them - it has to stop," said Flynn.

"I’m not going to single out individuals, but mistakes are creeping in.

"I thought we got bullied. We got caught by not matching their progression and dealing with their physical threat - It is disappointing.

"It’s frustrating at the moment because I know we are so much better than what we have been showing."

The Exiles will be looking to end their difficult run of results against Grimsby Town, who are also without a win in their last eight league fixtures, at Rodney Parade next Saturday.

County's last win, incidentally, came against the Mariners on December 8 after a 2-0 victory at Blundell Park.

"It’s not going to be an easy game,” Flynn continued.

"They are fighting for their lives and we have to turn a corner quickly because we don’t want to be falling too far behind the other challengers at the top."