NEWPORT County chief Mike Flynn expects a reaction from his players at the County Ground after a 2-1 midweek home reverse against Barnet.

The Exiles are without a league win since they triumphed 4-0 at Forest Green on October 14 and despite leading their matches into the final 10 minutes, they have failed to hold on on each occasion.

Flynn told newport-county.co.uk: “I don’t make excuses. It (Barnet) was a bad performance.

“The way we played and the goals we conceded was bad, it was a bad night and we’ve got to address the problems.

“I can guarantee you that there won’t be many fitter teams than us in this league.

“The amount of work they do, running they do during the game shows that.

“If the games ended on 80 minutes, then we would be third I think. It’s frustrating because like I said, it’s the manner of how it has happened that is the frustrating thing.

“We just switched off, we had a team meeting before the game about stopping the crosses, game management, I said after the game Tuesday that we didn’t manage them well and that’s what has cost us.

“Hopefully it will give us the kick-start we need.”

Despite their winless run hitting six matches, Flynn insists the slip to 10th position in the table does not overly concern him, perhaps not surprising since their survival in League Two was in considerable doubt until a late revival right at the end of last season.

“I’m sure a lot of people think it’s alarming,” he added.

“Not making any excuses, it wasn’t good enough. I think the manner of the defeat on Tuesday was the worst thing because for a while we were only two points off third after we scored.

“We’ve got 50 points in 31 games. That would make us near enough safe with 15 to play in a full season so I don’t think it’s been that bad a start.

“Anybody can beat anybody, you saw Crawley beat Exeter, Bury beat Shrewsbury in League One. It happens and unfortunately it happened to us on Tuesday, but in all honesty, it was a poor performance.”

Flynn has fond memories of the County Ground as a player, having netted there for Huddersfield in October 2008, but he added: “They (Swindon) also lost in the last minute on Tuesday after leading 2-1. It’s going to be tough as they all are.

“We’ll go there with a good following and I’ll make sure that the boys go with a nice positive attitude.

“I scored an absolute worldie there as-well, volley for Huddersfield.

“It was unbelievable, and I couldn’t believe it didn’t win goal of the season.

“I’ve been there, won there and then came home and had a lovely weekend.

“I hope it happens again Saturday except for me scoring of course because if that happens then we’re in trouble.”