IT was a case of new manager but same old sinking feeling for Newport County AFC and their supporters at a rain-soaked Huish Park on Saturday.

A 1-0 defeat to Yeovil wasn’t exactly the sort of start to his tenure as Exiles boss that Graham Westley would have wanted.

In his post-match interview, Westley said he felt there were several positives to take from County’s sixth League Two defeat of the season.

But it was also clear from his team’s performance that the former Stevenage supremo has work to do to turn things around.

He has, of course, inherited a squad built by Warren Feeney that has almost forgotten what it is like to win a game of football.

A solitary 1-0 victory at Leyton Orient on August 13 is the only fixture this term that County have come out on top in, league or cup.

And while they are by no means being blasted off the park, the Exiles are struggling to score goals, with just 10 in 11 league outings so far.

Westley was happy with the effort his players put in on Saturday, and they certainly didn’t deserve to lose in Somerset.

After a bright opening, the encounter turned into a very scrappy affair played out in horrendous conditions.

There was a nice gesture from Westley before the game when he went to talk to the County fans in the away end.

However, by half-time there were only a couple of the 400-plus travelling support still left watching on the uncovered terrace due to the incessant rain.

Those who made the relatively short trip from Wales would have seen a County squad missing the likes of Mark Randall, Paul Bignot, Reece Grego-Cox, Rhys Healey, Jamie Turley and Joss Labadie.

It seems injuries were to blame for their absence, while the visitors only named six of seven substitutes.

On the pitch, Westley, who had watched the previous Saturday’s stalemate at Colchester from the stands before officially taking over two days later, made three changes to the side that started the draw in Essex.

Bignot, Grego-Cox and Healey made way for Sean Rigg, Marlon Jackson and Josh Sheehan, with the new boss opting to play Jennison Myrie-Williams up front with Jackson and Jon Parkin in the hole behind them.

Most people think of Parkin as a target man but he did not look out of place in a slightly deeper role, although he did switch to a more familiar striking position in the second half.

However, although having more efforts on goal than the hosts, County failed to create any real clear-cut chances throughout the entire 90 minutes.

There were a few half-chances in the first period with Dan Butler and skipper Scot Bennett unable to make the most of them.

At the other end, keeper Joe Day was solid from the first whistle to the last and couldn’t do anything about Butler’s 81st-minute own goal.

But County failed to get to grips with Yeovil playmaker Alex Lawless whose cross-field passes allowed the home side to whip in some dangerous crosses.

In contrast, the Exiles never really got in behind the Glovers’ defence and Town keeper Artur Krysiak didn’t have that much to do.

Otis Khan and Ryan Hedges had Yeovil’s best scoring opportunities in the first half, with Day making a smart fingertip save to deny the latter.

County midfielder Ben Tozer, who was back at one of his former clubs, was the standout player for the visitors, though Sheehan also did well having returned to the team.

The conditions didn’t help but most of the second half was low on quality.

Westley’s men started it well though, with chances for Myrie-Williams and Bennett.

The former should have done a lot better when played in by Parkin but his final shot was woeful and it almost hit the corner flag.

Then Tozer broke free on the edge of the box and delivered a great cross to Bennett only for his header to clear the crossbar.

A point was no more than either side deserved but it was yet another late goal that did for Newport.

Yes, Butler was unlucky to see Thomas Eaves’ effort go in off his boot, however, County will feel the ball into the box should have been defended better.

Youngster Finlay Wood was brought on for his debut and didn’t let anyone down in the few minutes he played, it just wasn’t going to be County's day in the end.

Table-topping Plymouth are up next for Westley’s charges – what better way for the new manager to get his first win than against the league leaders.

County: Day, Barnum-Bobb, Butler, Jones, Bennett, Tozer, Myrie-Williams (Green, 65), Sheehan (Wood, 86), Rigg, Parkin, Jackson (Compton, 70). Subs not used: Bittner, Angel, Cameron.

Bookings: Parkin

Referee: Dean Whitestone

Attendance: 3,353 (including 439 County fans)

Argus star man: Ben Tozer