‘JUST watch us go when we start playing well,’ says Newport County AFC defender Darren Jones.

County earned a third straight win in League Two on Tuesday night, beating Southend United 1-0 at Rodney Parade.

The victory took Justin Edinburgh’s side up to eighth in the table, just one point off the play-off places and six behind surprise leaders Wycombe Wanderers.

But Jones admits that the Exiles have yet to really hit their stride and he conceded that the win over the Shrimpers, just like Saturday’s at Dagenham & Redbridge, had an element of fortune about it.

“It’s a sign of a good team that when you play bad you still win and that’s what’s happening at the moment,” said the 31-year-old who is also celebrating the birth of his son last week.

“We’ve had three wins in a row and a baby on Wednesday so it’s been a good week,” he added.

“It’s coming together now and I think we deserved the results a few games before these last few.

“We’re all working hard together and doing everything we possibly can to get a win and it’s working at the moment.”

Jones picked out the penalty save from goalkeeper Joe Day as the turning point before Mark Byrne’s winner.

“We needed that spark because they were a decent side,” he said of Southend.

“They pressed us and worked us hard all over the pitch but in the end we could have got two.

“I’m pleased for Mark because he’s been one of our best players this season,” he added.

“He always gives 100 per cent and he’s been trying to get a goal for a long time.

“I’m really happy for him and we just hope his injury isn’t too bad and he’ll be fit for Saturday.”

Byrne and Scott Tancock picked up knocks during Tuesday’s win to add to injuries to Adam Chapman, Robbie Willmott and Ryan Jackson, amongst others.

“We’re missing key players like Chappers, Robbie and Jacko at the moment and we are down to the bare bones but the players coming in are doing a good job,” said Jones.

“It’s not even a quarter of the season gone yet but we’re building and we’re on a great run at the minute.

“We’ve just got to keep that going and hopefully by Christmas we’ll be up there.”