GRAHAM Westley declared himself satisfied with the progress his Newport County AFC side is making after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at home to Grimsby Town.

County extended their unbeaten run to six games but five of those have been draws.

And a shock win for Leyton Orient at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night, courtesy of two late goals, leaves the Exiles four points adrift at the bottom of League Two.

They do still have a game in hand on the three teams above them, however, and Westley is staying positive.

“There’s a lot of people, six games ago, who wouldn’t have believed we’d have conceded three goals in the next six,” said the manager.

“There’s a lot of people who wouldn’t have believed we’d win eight points in the next six.

“And every point needs winning. You don’t get anything for nothing, you’ve got to go and earn the next point.

“There were a lot of good defensive moments, there were a few bright attacking moments.

“But mainly it’s about ground coverage, discipline, organisation, winning your tackles, winning your headers, putting balls in the right areas and trying to come through in that way.”

Reacting to the win for Orient and Notts County’s comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Exeter City, Westley said: “It’s the group ahead of us that you need to look at.

“There’s six, seven or eight teams that are in and around the bottom end of the table and one or two of them will drop.

“We’re nicking a point here and nicking a point there and grinding away and before tonight we’d gained three points in the last five games on the 19th-placed club.

“That’s progress and all the time here that we’re winning a point here and winning a point there and staying unbeaten and getting a win we’re pushing forward.

“I’d have taken eight points from six games and an undefeated record six games ago.

“This is a new team and we’re only going to get better but it’s a very solid start from the players.”

Westley did admit, however, that Saturday’s trip to Cambridge United would provide his side with a welcome break from playing on the poor Rodney Parade playing surface.

“It’s a very difficult surface to construct goals for the top sides or the bottom sides,” he said.

“Good defenders can go and defend easily on there because the pitch defends you as much as the opposition.

“An away ground presents different issues but you can put the ball on the deck and play a game of football.

“We always knew that there would be players who would be far more effective away from home.

“The likes of Samuel and Sheehan, are they going to be better when the ball stays on the ground and they can show their technical ability? Well, of course they are.

“Would you sooner play Josh Sheehan and Alex Samuel here or on a flat wicket? I think I’d even have a chance of defending [against] them out there [at Rodney Parade].”

Sheehan was recalled in favour of striker Aaron Williams against Grimsby but failed to spark the hosts into life in a game of few chances for either side.

“Josh I brought in because he’s our top goalscorer,” added Westley.

“He’s been injured but I believe his pace could always create a moment in a game.

“He could always create something out of nothing with his technical ability, albeit the pitch is difficult.”