Newport County take another big step forward on the road

County remain unbeaten after four tough games on the road and a goalkeeping error combined with superb defensive display means they have their first maximum haul of the League Two campaign.

Boos echoed around the cavernous Ricoh Arena from the home fans at the final whistle but the 908 travelling supporters were delighted with what they’d seen from their team.

It was a result that few predicted but perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised after the remarkable end to last season.

This was the ninth win in 16 games since Michael Flynn, Wayne Hatswell and Lennie Lawrence took charge of a team that had won only nine in the previous 57 matches.

They’ve built on the Great Escape and, on the early evidence, improved as a team and as a squad.

Robbie Willmott looks like he’s never been away, Matty Dolan and Frank Nouble (above) have settled in seamlessly and loan stars Ben White, Reece Cole and Shawn McCoulsky already look like shrewd additions, while Lamar Reynolds still has the potential to be a big star.

And, if Flynn has his way, there will be more new arrivals before August 31.

The boss will want to limit expectations and we are still at a very early stage in the season but these are exciting times for County fans and they will enjoy every minute after a traumatic two years.

And it doesn’t get much better than beating the league leaders and promotion favourites in their own back yard.

Liam O’Brien should have saved Cole’s long range effort in the 53rd minute but a momentary lapse in concentration from the Coventry goalkeeper saw it bounce off his arm and into the net to break the deadlock.

The Sky Blues dominated for the final half hour but the visitors’ defence dealt with everything thrown at them and Joe Day saved superbly from substitutes Tony Andreu and Maxime Biamou to preserve a hard-earned clean sheet.

The below-par hosts could not complain, though captain Michael Doyle was hardly full of praise for Flynn’s men.

"We gave the game away,” said their skipper.

“They were well organised and hard to beat, and we knew they would be but we should be walking away with a draw.

“All of their best attacks and plays came from our mistakes.”

Doyle added: “You see what it means to the opposition when they get a win against you. They were celebrating like they won the league.”

Coventry boss Mark Robins was slightly more complimentary.

“They got something to hold on to and got behind the ball,” said the former Manchester United striker.

“Their keeper has made two unbelievable saves to keep them in the game.

“Credit to them they worked hard and put us on the back foot a little but we shouldn't have allowed that. Mentally we are normally better than that and we can't expect to turn up and just get a result.”

For his part, Flynn praised the effort and application of his players.

“Their fans got frustrated because one of their best players Jodi Jones didn’t get a kick all day,” he said.

“Ben White was absolutely superb against him and we defended solidly throughout the whole team.

“That’s what we need. It’s something that myself, Wayne and Lennie are working on every day with the players and it’s paying off.”

Target man Quigley (above) exemplified the work-rate that Flynn demands from his players.

“Joe is what we’re looking for,” he added. “He makes it hard for defenders, he gets hold of the ball and allows us to play.

“He tired at the end but he’s going to because he hasn’t played too much football.

“But I’m over the moon for him after a great debut.”

Football being football, the manager, the players and the fans could all be brought back down to earth by this time next week but for now we can savour the aerial view of the lunar landscape.

County: Day; White, O’Brien, Demetriou, Pipe; Labadie, Dolan; Willmott, Cole (Bennett, 69), Nouble; Quigley (Reynolds, 69)

Subs not used: Bittner, Butler, Jahraldo-Martin, Tozer, McCoulsky

Booked: White, Reynolds

Referee: Paul Tierney

Attendance: 8,745 (908 County)