GOALS from Padraig Amond and Mickey Demetriou secured another three points for Newport County AFC, despite Crawley Town pulling a goal back after the break through Jimmy Smith. Here's what we learned...

1. Friday night lights finally shine for County

Every time they play on a Friday night the match is built up as a chance for County to steal a march on their rivals and put the pressure on for the Saturday matches.

It usually doesn’t work out that was as disappointing home draws with Port Vale in November and Doncaster Rovers last February the most recent examples.

But the Exiles delivered this time to move up to fifth in the League Two table, leapfrogging Exeter City, Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Coventry City and Swindon Town in the process.

2. Strength in depth means Exiles can now cope without key men

A month ago a teamsheet with no Joss Labadie and no Matty Dolan would have had fans majorly worried ahead of kick-off.

But Ben Tozer and Josh Sheehan proved themselves able deputies against Crawley and Emmanuel Osadebe will provide even greater competition for the central midfield positions in the next few months.

3. Josh Sheehan will take a while to get back to his best

Sheehan was making his first start in a competitive match since the 3-2 defeat at Cambridge United on February 18 last year so it was hardly surprising that he looked a little rusty.

There were a few loose passes early on and the youngster took a while to get used to the pace of the match.

But he did show flashes of the talent every County fan knows he possesses as well as winning the penalty and he will benefit from getting 70 minutes in the tank.

4. Paul Hayes’ experience is a big boost for the Flynn

The 34-year-old replaced Frank Nouble with five minutes to go and used all his experience to help his new side run down the clock and secure all three points.

Hayes has more to offer than that but he’s the ideal man to introduce when County are attempting to see out a game, using every trick in the book to waste time and wind up the opposition to relieve some of the pressure on the defence at the death.

5. Aaron Collins may have to bide his time

While Hayes, Shawn McCoulsky and Tyler Reid were all sent on and Sheehan got his start, Aaron Colling again had to sit and watch on the bench.

He’ll miss the Spurs tie because he’s cup-tied and the 20-year-old may have to be patient judging by Michael Flynn’s comments after the game.

“I’ll be honest, he was poor in the reserves on Tuesday so I didn’t trust him to put him on,” said the manager.

“I’ve spoken to him and told him. He knows that and it’s not a criticism of him. He let his standards slip but he’s been brilliant since, he’s raised them. I’ve told him how hard these boys work and unless he does the same he won’t be playing.”