NEWPORT County AFC got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over 10-man Cheltenham Town at Rodney Parade thanks to Chris Hussey's own goal. Here are the talking points...

Half-time changes had the desired effect

Flynn was criticised for leaving his substitutions far too late in Northampton on Tuesday night, but he was certainly proactive with a double-change at the start of the second half.

The manager described the first half performance as “disgusting” and, with Mark O’Brien injured and Tyreeq Bakinson one of many to under-perform in the first 45 minutes, he took decisive action.

David Pipe and Josh Sheehan both made a positive impact as County produced a much better display in the second half to claim a deserved win.

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Three-pronged attack works at Rodney Parade

The one change from Tuesday night saw Ade Azeez return up front in place of the injured Joss Labadie.

The deadline day signing slotted in alongside Jamille Matt with Padraig Amond playing just behind the front two in a return to the formation that had worked well in the previous home game against Carlisle United.

It didn’t work at Colchester United last week and Azeez was dropped for the trip to Northampton, but it works at home with the former Cambridge United forward’s pace and work-rate adding an extra dimension to an already potent attack.

Sorry Podge, it was an own goal

County’s top scorer celebrated as if it was his goal and he was adamant after the game that he considers himself to be on 22 for the season, but it’s likely to stay as a Chris Hussey own goal.

Amond deserves all the credit as his clever lob forced Scott Flinders to scramble the ball into Hussey’s head and over the line.

The unfortunate Hussey won’t want it, but the photographic evidence suggests it was a clear own goal and Amond will now have to wait two weeks to add to his impressive tally.

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Exiles got fortunate with the red card

Cheltenham boss Michael Duff was not at all happy with the referee’s performance and he was convinced that Will Boyle’s red card was unfair.

Padraig Amond also admitted afterwards that he thought the decision was incorrect and it did look as if Jamille Matt may have fouled Boyle before he was tugged back.

But, as Amond pointed out, the Exiles were on the receiving end if a similar decision when Dan Butler was sent off against Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day.

It proved very costly then and it was about time that County got the rub of the green, even if the dismissal didn’t make a massive difference to the outcome of the game.

Read more: Match report from Rodney Parade

Read more: Michael Flynn on 'disgusting' first half