MICHAEL Flynn is right to point out that the league table means very little at this stage of the season but the stats demonstrate just what a good job he, his staff and his players are doing at present.

Flynn’s Newport County AFC side are now 13 unbeaten in regular-season league games – breaking a club record from the 1930s.

They’ve kept eight clean sheets in those 13 games, conceding just five goals.

They’re nine unbeaten at home in the league and have 11 clean sheets in their last 14 league games at Rodney Parade, losing only two in 20.

Anyone looking at the stats from Saturday’s home clash with early-season pacesetters Plymouth Argyle will conclude that County were lucky to claim all three points.

The 1,000 travelling Pilgrims will no doubt agree, but the 4,000 home fans who created a fantastic atmosphere at Rodney Parade will argue that their side got what they deserved for a battling display.

Plymouth dominated the first half and were only denied the lead by a fantastic save from Tom King to keep out a Joe Riley rocket.

But the Exiles recovered from the loss of Mickey Demetriou and Scot Bennett to injury and Flynn was rewarded for a positive half-time change with Tristan Abrahams making a big difference after the break.

The young striker gave the hosts much more of a threat up front and they always looked the more likely to win in in the second 45 minutes.

Flynn didn’t think the winner was going to come but Kyle Howkins, who replaced Demetriou after just 21 minutes, headed home from Ryan Haynes’ cross nine minutes from time to end Argyle’s 100 per cent start to the season.

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“It was a really good performance in the second half,” said the Exiles boss.

“In the first half Plymouth dominated possession and they looked more dangerous than us.

“I didn’t think we were great in the first half. We didn’t keep the ball well enough and I think we paid them too much respect.

“In the second half it was much better. We created a lot of chances and it was just that final pass that needed to be better.

“I thought it had 0-0 written all over it, if I’m honest. I thought it was going to be one of those days.

“But it was a great header from Kyle. I’m delighted for him.”

Flynn took exception to Gillingham manager Steve Evans’ claim that County had “just launched it” during last week’s Carabao Cup tie at Priestfield.

Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe was more diplomatic than Evans, which isn’t difficult, but he hinted at what he saw as a difference in styles between the two sides.

“I thought there was only one team going to win the game in terms of football stature,” said Lowe.

"In the first half, we were dominant but it was a lapse in concentration [for the goal].

“I’ve said from day one that we’re not the finished article, nowhere near.

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“Newport are a different style of football and I’m just disappointed we had the ball in their half of the pitch, and then it’s in our net.

“We came up against a different type in Newport, with balls into the box. We were outstanding for 80 minutes until they scored.

“Without being disrespectful to Newport, they are quite different. They go from back to front quickly, with power and pace. We withstood all of that but I’m disappointed to concede on 81 minutes.

“We could deal with several situations before they scored and a long ball has gone into the box for the big lad, fair play to them.

“Overall, I’m disappointed. But I would have been disappointed with a draw, never mind a loss.”

It’s a familiar feeling for Lowe, whose Bury side were beaten 3-1 at Rodney Parade in April, and he won’t be the only opposition manager leaving Newport with regrets this season.

County: King; McNamara, O’Brien, Demetriou (Howkins, 21), Haynes; Bennett (Abrahams, 46), Sheehan; Willmott, Labadie, Amond; Matt

Subs not used: Townsend, Leadbitter, Nurse, Maloney, Whitely

Booked: Labadie, Matt

Referee: Peter Wright

Attendance: 5,041 (1,039)

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