NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh has branded the League Two fixture list ‘ludicrous’ as his side face a second tough away trip of the week.

County extended their unbeaten run in League Two to five games with a point at relegated Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday night.

And rather than return home to Rodney Parade on Saturday they travel to Shrewsbury Town to take on another side who were playing in League One last season.

“I find the league very weird with back-to-back home games and then back-to-back away games,” said Edinburgh. “You don’t see that in any other division.

“It’s quite ludicrous and it’s tough because we’ve got a good away point and we should be back at home now to build on that.

“Instead we’re away again at a tough place like Shrewsbury but we go there full of confidence and determined to continue this run.”

Goalkeeper Joe Day was the star man at Prenton Park as he made a string of impressive saves to keep the Exiles on level terms.

Edinburgh has revealed that he is keen to extend Day’s loan spell from Peterborough United but was also full of praise for defender Andrew Hughes and he says there is a lot more to come from striker Joe Pigott.

“A lot of credit has to go to Andrew Hughes,” said the Exiles boss.

“The last five games since he came in we’re unbeaten and he’s been outstanding.

“He’s had to be patient and if anyone is critical of him I am but he’s coming of age now.

“He’s looking more than comfortable in League Two and he certainly looks as if he’s got an exciting future.”

On Pigott, who earned a first start on Tuesday, he added: “I think to make your full debut away from home is difficult and he fed off scraps.

“He didn’t get much quality ball but he’s a willing runner and I think we’ll see the true worth of Joe once he gets a run of games.”

With defender Kevin Feely ruled out with a toe injury, Edinburgh hopes to have Ryan Jackson and Ismail Yakubu fit for Saturday.

But he will have no hesitation in calling on the club’s youth academy squad if needed, as evidenced by the presence of 16-year-ol Regan Poole on the bench on Tuesday.

“We had Regan on the bench and two others travelled with us as well and it’s testament to Michael Flynn and Danny Elliott and the work they’ve done with the Academy that we can rely on them now,” said Edinburgh.

“That’s what we’re building towards – to make sure that we’ve got young players working towards the first team.”