NEW Newport County boss John Sheridan declared Saturday’s draw with Exeter as a benchmark performance for County.

The Exiles battled back from a goal down as the ex-Plymouth boss enjoyed a fruitful start to life in the Rodney Parade dug-out, just over 24-hours after his appointment.

“That was a good point, I thought we played very well and I couldn’t have asked much more from the players,” said Sheridan, who was assisted by former County players Byron Anthony and Mike Flynn.

“Some of the football at times was really good. It’s always difficult when you are bottom of the league, but I’ve told the players, that’s the kind of performance I’m looking for, that’s the benchmark set.

“We knew it would be a tough game but I thought the players really responded. We conceded when we were on top and our heads could easily have dropped from that. But credit to the players, that never happened and Lenell took his goal really well, it was an excellent finish.

“There are some good players here. They need some confidence.

“We are in a mini-league of six and we can get to the top of it, once we get there, we’ll try and push on. Results went our way on Saturday, so it’s a well-earned points.

“The next six games are really hard, but I’d rather have it like that.

““I can see in training we have some good players. Steve Perryman said we don’t look like a team bottom of the league and I agree with him.”

Paul Tisdale admitted his plans went out the window with the appointment of Sheridan.

“Inevitably the events of the last 48 hours changed things for us and them. It tends to provide a catalyst for a performance and we were prepared for that,” he said.

“As the game developed I think we were very disciplined, particularly over the first hour. We did that and we got our goal and we felt pretty comfortable in defending that lead.

“But there we are, we conceded a goal from a break where they counter-attacked and that is disappointing.

“We knew it would be a tricky game when a team has a change of a manager and our preparation was effectively null and void.

“John probably had more knowledge of us having been at Plymouth more than we would have on Newport, and he will be pleased to have a point for his team.

“We still had a good performance and a good point but it is always disappointing when you let a lead slip.”