GRAHAM Westley has vowed to eradicate the curse of the late goal that has cost Newport County AFC dear this season.

The Exiles are five points adrift at the foot of League Two with two games in hand going into tomorrow's home clash with table-toppers Plymouth Argyle.

A big reason for that is the late goals conceded against Mansfield Town, Luton Town and Grimsby Town, which cost the team three points and cost Warren Feeney his job.

New manager Westley suffered the same fate at Yeovil Town last week but he is adamant that his team will be able to see games out.

“It’s not something that will handicap the side going forward,” he said.

“My sides are notorious for being strong late on. They’re notorious for scoring lots of late winners and they’re certainly not notorious for conceding late goals.

“It won’t be an issue going forward.

“We are where we are and we need to kick ourselves into gear in terms of what I want from the team.

“It takes a little bit of time for a manager to put his influence on the team,” he added.

“You can’t walk in the door and suddenly they all understand what you want and what they can all do for you.

“Selection you get a little bit wrong here or there and it takes a little bit of time for it all to come together.

“But you won’t be watching a Newport team concede late goals.”

Defender Darren Jones is also certain that it is a problem that can be solved.

“I think we were unlucky on Saturday with the own goal,” said the centre-back.

“But Colchester away we kept a clean sheet and I’m sure we would have kept a clean sheet at Yeovil without the own goal.

“So we are moving in the right direction and I think it will come down to us working harder in training and getting fitter and we’ll be able to last longer in games.

“I think the attention to detail that the gaffer’s given us will help towards the later stages of a game when you’re tired mentally.

“The little things will help us keep clean sheets.”