GRAHAM COUGHLAN: "I don''t want to see that type of performance again."

Newport County manager Graham Coughlan is keen to ensure standards don't slip, after the club's narrow defeat to Doncaster at the weekend.

County lost a close game 1-0 at the weekend as the Port chased their third-successive league win. 

It wasn't to be on Saturday, but manager Graham Coughlan stressed that the group need to make sure that that was a one-off.

"Obviously, we're all angry, but I'm not going to talk emotionally after a game of football.

"That performance was not like us, it's not us, it's not like we've been serving up over the past six/seven weeks. We need to go away, sit down and analyse it and see why we had so many players not at the races," the boss said.

"I think we have to give Doncaster credit - they were the better team, they probably deserved the victory.

"It looked from my point of view that Doncaster wanted it more which is not something I would expect from my group.

"But, let's be honest, this group has been different class since over the period I've been in, they've been a great group to work with and I don't want to see that type of performance again.

"They will react, but in football you have days like that when nothing comes off for you. We will play badly between now and the end of the season but keep believing.

"The key is when you're not playing well in football: Hang in there, trust in each other, believe in each other and have the confidence that you can nick something from the game. If you're not playing well, don't lose the game.

"I've got to look at where, when, how and why that defeat has come about."

County are next in action when we make the trip to Hartlepool this coming Saturday, with tickets for that available here.

Graham Coughlan's full Doncaster post-match interview can be watched below...