FOREST GREEN 1 COUNTY 2

NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh believes Ryan Charles has a big part to play in his side’s promotion push after the substitute’s fantastic winning goal at Forest Green Rovers yesterday.

Charles came off the bench after an hour with fellow sub Ben Swallow as County trailed 1-0 to their promotion rivals and both scored to earn Edinburgh’s men a vital three points in the race for a place back in the Football League.

Charles’ strike was a left-foot screamer from 30 yards and Edinburgh was delighted for the striker, who has found himself out of the starting XI this season.

“I thought we were very professional and solid in the first half but it was a disastrous start to the second half and we had to show our character to come back,” said Edinburgh, whose side fell behind to Steve Brogan’s 47th minute volley.

“There was a little bit of luck involved with the first goal but the second was a top drawer finish from Ryan Charles.

“He’s had a real stop-start career at this club but I know Ryan and I know what he is capable of. He’s got a first class attitude and hopefully that kick-starts his career here.

“Everyone at this club feels they should play and rightly so,” he added. “Ryan, Ben Swallow and Conor Washing-ton did well and any one of those three can step up to the plate and fill the position left by Christian Jolley.”

The Exiles remain in second place in the Blue Square Bet Premier behind Grimsby Town and Edinburgh is pleased to have kicked off the hectic festive fixture list with a win in front of more than a thousand travelling fans.

“This was a massive win for us and we’re delighted,” he said. “ We’ve been a bit inconsistent of late but with Hereford on Saturday it gives us a chance to build momentum.

“The fans were absolutely amazing, as they always are. When you walk out to play at an away ground and two stands are full of your fans it gives you a great lift. It was like an extra two men for us.”