NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn expects a better performance from his side as they aim to back up a narrow FA Cup win with progress in the Checkatrade Trophy tomorrow night.

Flynn was unhappy with the chances that seventh-tier Metropolitan Police FC were allowed at a wet and wild Imber Court on Saturday.

And, even though goals from Padraig Amond and Jamille Matt sealed their place in tonight’s second-round draw, the manager also bemoaned the opportunities that his players squandered.

The Exiles now switch their attention to their final Trophy group-stage tie at home to League One Plymouth Argyle tomorrow and Flynn wants to see an improvement from his team.

It’s a dead rubber for the visitors but County know that a win will take them through to the next round, as well as adding another £10,000 to the £36,000 they banked from the weekend win.

“I’ve got to have a look at a few to see how they feel and I’ll pick a team that I think can win the football match on Tuesday,” said Flynn.

“I didn’t want to risk Scot Bennett [on Saturday] and I didn’t really want to put Mark O’Brien on but I had to in the end.

“I was looking to get Lewis Collins a game but that didn’t work out.

“If we’d taken our chances, I could have made that change and given Lewis his debut in the FA Cup so I’m a little bit disappointed.

“I don’t think we were quite good enough, but that’s fine. We’ll learn from that and go again on Tuesday.”

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And Flynn is confident that it will be a different story at Rodney Parade.

“These games [against non-league opponents] are a test of character but I don’t ever question the players’ mentality because they are spot on,” he added.

“They work their socks of day in and day out and anybody who says they don’t just doesn’t know them.

“They are a great group so I don’t need to question their character.

“It’s about doing things right in and out of possession. A lot of the chances [we conceded] were from our own making. It wasn’t a performance I was very happy with.”

Andrew Crofts and Joss Labadie are close to a return to fitness but the experienced midfield pair are not in contention to face Argyle.

Full-backs Tyler Forbes and Cameron Pring could also miss out again but may be back for next Saturday’s home clash with fellow League Two promotion hopefuls Colchester United.

“Crofty was back running this week, so that’s good, and Labs isn’t far away but Tuesday will be a little bit too early for both of them,” explained Flynn.

“Tyler is out at the minute and so is Cameron Pring but he will hopefully be back next weekend.

“Providing we don’t get any [injuries] on Tuesday and we have a good week then we’ll hopefully be in a good position for Saturday [against Colchester].”