NEWPORT County AFC continued their impressive start to the League Two season with a 1-0 win at Stevenage on Tuesday evening.

Right wing-back Liam Shephard was brought down in the box after seven minutes and striker Tristan Abrahams coolly slotted home for what turned out to be the only goal of the game at the Lamex Stadium.

A strong defensive display took the spoils to ensure County remain second in the table, level on points with leaders Cambridge United.

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Here are the talking points from the clash at Stevenage...

Free Press Series: CALLING THE SHOTS: Manager Michael FlynnCALLING THE SHOTS: Manager Michael Flynn

TIGHT TUSSLE

Stevenage conjured an opening in the closing stages that ended with Danny Newton firing high over the bar with manager Michael Flynn angered after what he felt was a push in the back on Shephard was missed in the build-up.

“I CAN’T RELAX!” replied the boss after presumably being asked to calm down by the fourth official.

It’s a theme of the season so far with four of County’s five wins being by a solitary goal to go along with a 2-1 loss at Cambridge and draw at Scunthorpe.

Only in the 2-0 victory at Bolton have the Exiles been able to enjoy a bit of serenity in injury time.

SOLID FOUNDATION

The County defence impressed with their concentration and organisation against Tranmere and repeated the trick in Stevenage after an early wake-up call.

After being caught out by a ball over the top and neat lob by Newton that came off the bar, the trio of Brandon Cooper, Matty Dolan and Mickey Demetriou looked well-drilled and balanced with the ability to do the simple stuff but also play out.

Joss Labadie has performed strongly in front of them with his canny knack of winning free-kicks to relieve pressure to go along with breaking up play.

Moving Dolan from midfield to defence has been an inspired move, on-loan Swansea prospect Cooper looks a class act and Demetriou has responded strongly after an error against Barrow.

The trio have provided a solid foundation with Scot Bennett and Ashley Baker having to wait patiently for a chance.

Goalkeeper Nick Townsend has been assured and after a quiet afternoon against Tranmere had to save smartly early in the second half in Stevenage, the only shot on target of the evening.

Free Press Series: PRESSURE: Saikou Janneh was full of running up frontPRESSURE: Saikou Janneh was full of running up front

SETTING THE TONE

County’s defence has performed strongly but they will be quick to say it’s a team effort.

Manager Flynn was quick to point out after the game that the forward duo of Tristan Abrahams and Saikou Janneh had played their part in the clean sheet by being “absolute pests”.

“They didn’t give the Stevenage defence a minute’s break,” said Flynn. “They run and run and run – they set the tone.”

Padraig Amond continued that after coming on for Abrahams and that’s perhaps while County will be patient with on-loan Jamie Proctor, whose ability to hold up the ball will be welcome but he won’t be match sharp.

TIME TO TINKER?

There’s no time for back-patting in League Two, the games come thick and fast with a trip to Bradford on Saturday then home fixtures against Colchester and Harrogate the following week.

Then it’s the lengthy midweek journey to Carlisle and a round one clash in the FA Cup against opposition yet to be drawn.

Flynn went with an unchanged XI versus Stevenage but knows he will need to freshen up soon.

The bench at the Lamex Stadium featured Scot Bennett and Amond, who are used to being regulars, as well as experienced forward Kevin Ellison.

Ashley Baker has been a fringe figure so far and then there are the three deadline day loan signings of Aaron Lewis, Jamie Devitt and Jamie Proctor.

Flynn and his coaching staff have to plan for the long-term rather than just concentrating solely on the next opposition in this manic campaign.