DEFENDER Matt Partridge says Saturday’s clean sheet proves Newport County AFC are becoming harder to beat and he believes the return of Matt Taylor will add to the Exiles’ solidity at the back.

County shut out their opponents for the first time this season to earn a point in a 0-0 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Partridge excelled against his former club in a back three alongside Danny Holmes and teenager Kieran Parselle.

And he says the defence will be even better when Taylor, who was on the bench at Dagenham, is finally fit to make his County debut in League Two.

“A clean sheet is definitely something to build on because we’ve got the draw,” said Partridge, who arrived at Rodney Parade on transfer deadline day earlier this month following the departures of Regan Poole and Kevin Feely.

“Last week we probably deserved more than we did from this one but we got the clean sheet and it’s a step in the direction.

“I think both teams looked dangerous going forward and the game obviously got a bit stretched towards the end but to come away with the clean sheet was a positive.

“I know all the lads at Dagenham so it was fun playing against them. It was good and it was a positive result for us.”

Partridge, still only 21 himself, is a big fan of 18-year-old Parselle but he can’t wait to play alongside 33-year-old Taylor.

“It was another good solid performance from Kieran,” he said. “He’s learning, as we all are because we’ve got a lot of young lads.

“I’m included in that as well – we’re all learning.

“The lads have helped me settle in well and being put straight into the team has probably helped that as well.

“Communication at the back is massive and I feel like we’re starting to get that going now.

“And with Matt Taylor coming back as well he can obviously help with that

“Matt is nearing fitness so hopefully we see him starting a game for us in the near future because he can obviously bring something to the side with his experience.

“Competition within a team is healthy and whoever the gaffer decides to play that’s who he wants to play.”

Partridge was pleased to stop a run of five successive defeats and take some pressure off manager Terry Butcher.

“We’re all behind the gaffer. We want to be hard to beat and we were,” h said.

“The gaffer gives all the lads loads of confidence and we go out there full of confidence so hopefully that is showing in our performances.”