NEWPORT County saw their unbeaten run come to an end at Northampton Town on Saturday as the hosts ran out 2-0 winners.

It was a poor County display on the back of seven games without defeat in League Two, and a week where boss Michael Flynn’s future was under the microscope.

Here are talking points from the PTS Academy Stadium encounter…

Just why were the Exiles not at the races?

Supporters have inevitably linked the rumours of Lincoln City’s interest in County’s manager to the poor performance in Northampton.

Speaking after the match, Flynn said that wasn’t the case and that the Cobblers had just been the better team on the day.

Speculation like that surely can’t help a side’s preparation, although it happens so often in football that it must be like water off a duck’s back for the players.

Unbeaten run over, time to start another one

The run had to come to an end at some point, though the fans wouldn’t have expected their side to go down without much of a fight.

They also conceded their first league goal in nearly 10 hours of football, a remarkable run dating back to the first day of the season.

County now need to put the loss behind them as quickly as possible, with a match against Macclesfield on Tuesday.

Shot shy County need to find their shooting boots

They haven’t exactly been prolific in front of goal this season, but they have found the back of the net at some key moments.

There was a distinct lack of goalmouth action at Northampton with Tristan Abrahams and Padraig Amond, or anyone else come to that, having any joy in the final third.

Until now their ability to keep other teams out has been the foundation for success.

They can’t afford to have too many more days like Saturday if a promotion push is going to be sustained.