NOT since 2005 have Newport County AFC lost six successive league games but Warren Feeney’s side matched that unwanted record with a shocking display at Stevenage.

This could have been the day when County finally put those relegation fears to bed but, instead, they were effectively beaten inside 33 minutes against their fellow strugglers.

First Jake Mulraney bundled in the opener on nine minutes and then former Exiles star Aaron O’Connor doubled the hosts’ advantage.

But, such was Stevenage’s dominance, that Feeney’s men were fortunate to only be 2-0 down at the break.

They improved after the break but, with no goals in four games beforehand, they rarely looked like getting back into it and the hosts were comfortable.

The signs were not good from the start with left-back Ben Davies under constant pressure from star man Tom Pett.

The Stevenage winger created the first goal for Mulraney but before that he fed skipper Ronnie Henry down the right and the defender’s cross found Dean Parrett but his shot was blocked.

Parrett then crossed from the right but centre-back Dean Wells couldn’t get the connection he needed to bundle home the opener from close range.

The first goal came on nine minutes, however, we Davies was beaten too easily and Joe Day failed to cut out Pett’s cross, allowing Mulraney to poke home at the far post.

O’Connor, who left Rodney Parade for Forest Green Rovers last summer, almost hooked in a spectacular second with an overhead kick but it just cleared the bar.

Mulraney went close to grabbing his second but curled a shot just wide of Day’s far post.

At the other end Tommy O’Sullivan hit a free-kick into the wall and County captain Mark Byrne fired wide after good work by lone front man Lenell John-Lewis.

But then came the crucial second goal for Stevenage and it was a classy finish from O’Connor, who showed more class by refusing to celebrate his first strike for his new club.

Davies, who had little defensive cover from Medy Elito and John-Christophe Ayina on the left flank, was sacrificed on 38 minutes as Janoi Donacien came off the bench.

He slotted into the middle with Andrew Hughes switched to left-back but still Stevenage were well on top.

And there was a big let off just before the break as Elito looked to have brought down Pett in the area.

Referee Iain Williamson waved play on and County remained in the match, just about.

Top scorer Scott Boden replaced O’Sullivan for the second half and the Exiles did improve but not enough.

Byrne shot just wide minutes after the restart and Boden’s fellow sub Souleymane Coulibaly missed the best chance from close range on 77 minutes.

Alex Rodman fired in three minutes from time to spark a late panic for Stevenage, who were hanging on during the six minutes of added on time, but County paid the price for a dreadful first half showing.

Defeat means Feeney’s men are down to 22nd but they remain 11 points clear of bottom two York City and Dagenham & Redbridge.

With just 12 points left to play for it’s a matter of time before safety is assured but this is not the way the Exiles want to finish the season.

County: Day; Holmes, Jones, Hughes, Davies (Donacien, 38); Rodman, Byrne, O’Sullivan (Boden, 46), Elito, Ayina; John-Lewis (Coulibaly, 67)

Subs not used: Green, Klukowski, Morgan, Partridge

Referee: Iain Williamson

Attendance: 2,673