NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh has told his players not to waste Saturday’s vital three points at Torquay United.

County beat the ten-man Gulls 1-0 thanks to Chris Zebroski’s eighth-minute strike to finally end a run of only one win in 15 games.

The victory edged the Exiles closer to safety in League Two – lifting them nine points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand.

But Edinburgh won’t allow his players to relax and he wants them to build on Saturday’s result with wins over struggling Bury and Portsmouth at Rodney Parade this week.

“The win was very much needed after the poor run we’ve been on,” admitted the Exiles boss.

“It gives us a bit of distance between ourselves and the bottom two.

“But we have to make sure we don’t waste this. We need to build on the win and the clean sheet now.

“It’s a massive week for us against another two teams who are fighting for their lives as well.

“This needs to be a foundation because when we have had good results of late we’ve not capitalised on them in the following games.”

County are now seven points off the top-seven with a game in hand and Edinburgh has still not given up all hope of the play-offs.

“We know what we’re capable of,” he said. “We’ve lost the form and the confidence and our momentum and if we can get back on it you never know.”

Mike Flynn, who returned to the side as captain at Plainmoor, is also looking up the table rather than down.

“I’ve been around long enough to know there will still be a lot more twists and turns in this season,” said the skipper.

“I’m always optimistic but let’s see how we go on Tuesday. And then we’ve got Portsmouth at home as well. If we can get six points from those two games then we’ll be back up there.”

Flynn was involved in the big talking point on Saturday when Gulls midfielder Shamir Goodwin was shown a straight red card for an alleged elbow to his face.

The Torquay fans and management were adamant that the red was undeserved and Flynn said: “I know he caught me. Whether it was with his head, shoulder or an elbow I’m not too sure.

“The referee thought it was an elbow and I’m not going to argue.

“Sometimes it’s hard playing against ten men but we played some good stuff and we’re delighted to get the win.”

New signings Darcy Blake and Kevin Feely excelled at the heart of a back four against Torquay, as did Tom Naylor at right-back but Ryan Jackson should be fit to face Bury.

Striker Rene Howe could also return after missing the past two games for family reasons.