NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh admits his side got what they deserved against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.

The Exiles led thanks to an own goal from visiting goalkeeper Ross Worner on 65 minutes but goals from substitutes Charlie Sheringham and Kevin Sainte-Luce in the final six minutes sealed the win for Wimbledon.

It was County’s second home defeat in succession after Saturday’s home reverse to Cheltenham Town and leaves Edinburgh’s men still seven points off the play-off places with three games in hand.

“I think we got what we deserved,” said the Exiles boss. “Probably in the end Wimbledon deserved to win the game.

“It’s bitterly disappointing and for the standards we’ve set we’re not quite reaching them at the moment.

“We looked leggy at times but we’re not going to use any excuses. We prepared correctly, as we do every game, and we’re just not performing to the capabilities that we’re capable of.

“It looked like one of them games where you get a scrappy 1-0 but unfortunately we haven’t been able to see the game out.

“Sometimes you have to take them type of goals to get you back on track but we didn’t make the most of the opportunity that was given to us.”

And with high-flying Scunthorpe United coming to Rodney Parade this Saturday and Fleetwood Town following next Tuesday things are not going to get any easier.

“We’re going to regret that because we’ve got another tough game here on Saturday and we’re certainly going to have to play a lot better than we have done,” said Edinburgh.

“I expected us to hold on but we have to scrap and earn every point at this level. Right now we’re finding it difficult.

“Scunthorpe are a top side but look what happened when we played Oxford here – that sometimes brings the best out of us,” he added.

“We want to turn things round and we’ve got the squad now so if people are underperforming they’re going to find it hard to hang onto their places.

“We have to continue to work hard. We are where we are and the only reason we got promoted last year was because of hard work, simple as that.

“We’ve got to stick together and have that belief and that is one thing we have.

“We’re a together group. I’m a manager who believes in his players and that’s what we’ll do.”