NEWPORT County AFC gained a point on the road at Colchester United. Here's what we learned from the 0-0 draw at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

1. The switch to 5-3-2 (or 3-5-2) worked

The switch in formation helped get the best out of Scot Bennett and especially Darren Jones with the extra man in central defence – Paul Bignot in this case – providing extra cover and pace and producing a first clean sheet since August 13 at Leyton Orient.

It also freed Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Dan Butler of some of their defensive responsibilities and gave them license to get forward. They should have even more freedom at home.

South Wales Argus:

2. Not as easy as ABC for JMW and RGC

With the width provided by the wing-backs in a 5-3-2 formation there is less room in the side for natural wingers like Jennison Myrie-Williams (above), Reece Grego-Cox, Jordan Green, Sean Rigg and Jack Compton.

None of them, with the possible exception of Compton, look like central midfielders and they could struggle for game time if Graham Westley opts to stick with Sean McCarthy’s switch. It could, however, provide a way in for Josh Sheehan.

3. Goals have dried up

Former manager Warren Feeney’s main cause for optimism in the early part of the season was that, despite the defensive errors, his team was scoring plenty of goals. But that’s not the case now.

The Exiles netted 10 times in seven games in August but since then they’ve hit just four goals in six games and have now failed to score in their last three away games - at Colchester United, Grimsby Town and Doncaster Rovers.

4. Sean McCarthy in the dark

The Exiles caretaker boss revealed that goalkeeper James Bittner and the rest of the backroom team are likely to stay at Rodney Parade once Westley takes over.

But he has no idea if he will be part of the new regime. McCarthy will turn up to work on Monday for a meeting with the new manager and he could well be clearing his desk before lunch.

South Wales Argus:

5. Dino Maamria set to follow Westley?

The former Tunisian under-21 international was pictured (above) watching Saturday’s match in the stands alongside Westley and it seems likely that he will join him in Newport.

Maamria was a player and coach under Westley at Stevenage from 2008 to 2012, moved with him to Preston North End and then returned to Stevenage as his assistant manager in 2013. He didn’t join Westley at Peterborough United last season as he was manager at Conference club Southport.