ROBBIE Willmott says he “feels like a new signing” after finally making his first League Two start of the season at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

The versatile Newport County AFC forward has endured a stop-start campaign so far after suffering an injury in pre-season and then picking up a three-game ban for his red card against Yeovil Town last month.

But Willmott returned to the County starting XI in style at the weekend as he ended a sweeping passing move by picking out Padraig Amond to hit the equaliser at The New Lawn.

The 28-year-old impressed during his 82 minutes on the pitch, having lasted only 37 minutes when he came on as a substitute against Yeovil only to be dismissed for a reckless challenge on Olufela Olomola.

“It was difficult to take,” said Willmott as he reflected on his frustrating start to the season.

“I was obviously out with an injury and then the red card, which was my own fault.

“I take full responsibility for that and I apologise to everyone – to the fans as well. It was a miss-timed tackle, which we didn’t need in a 6-0 defeat.

“But I’ve come back and set up the equaliser. I said in pre-season that I felt I was going to have a big year and I think I’m going about it the right way now.

“I got two assists against Chelsea [under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy] and I probably should have had four or five but I’m happy to get another assist [against Forest Green] and hopefully I can get a couple more against Stevenage [next weekend].

“It’s different because I usually get to this point in the season and I’m picking up niggles and I’m aching after games but I feel fresh so for me it’s a plus,” he added.

“I feel like a new signing. It was my first league start of the season so it’s like the start of my season and I’m buzzing to get going.”

Willmott may have apologised for seeing red against Yeovil but he is adamant that Mickey Demetriou (above) has nothing to say sorry for after the Exiles skipper missed a penalty against Rovers on Saturday.

“He came in [to the dressing room] and apologised but I said to him that he’s got nothing to apologise for. He’s won us so many games since I’ve been here.

“I told him to keep his head up and go into the next game with no worries on his shoulders.

“We win as a team, lose as a team and draw as a team and we’re all behind him every step of the way.”

The point keeps County in third place in the table as they prepare to host fifth-placed Stevenage this coming Saturday.

“We’re happy with the position we’re in and we keep in contact with the teams above," said Willmott.

“I’m a more experienced player now and looking in that changing room I can see that we have a lot of characters.

“It shows when we’ve gone behind and I couldn’t be happier with the players I’m going out there with because I know that we’ve got each other’s backs.”