NEWPORT County AFC’s players will be aspiring to maintain the standard set in their last two games for the rest of the season, insists midfielder Scot Bennett.

The Exiles face Exeter City at St James Park this afternoon (kick-off 3pm) chasing a third successive win after the league defeat of Crewe Alexandra and Carabao Cup victory over Cambridge United.

Those fans who made the midweek trip to Cambridge would have seen County produce some sublime football, including a stunning team goal finished off by Padraig Amond.

And after putting a disappointing performance away to Mansfield Town on the opening day of the new League Two campaign behind them, Bennett wants to see his side stay on the right track.

“It wasn’t the result we were after at Mansfield but we put things right,” said the former Exeter man.

“We had a little chat and the last two games have been very encouraging.

“We’ve picked up two positive results and hopefully we’ll be carrying that on.

“That’s the sort of standard we’ll be looking to maintain throughout the season.

“We all knew we were capable of a performance like that, now we’ve got to keep that up and make sure we put that in week in and week out.”

Bennett, 27, knows new Exeter boss and ex-County player Matt Taylor very well from his time at the Devon club.

But while being impressed with the way Taylor has started his managerial career following Paul Tisdale’s departure this summer, Bennett is keen to leave St James Park later today with the spoils.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he added. “It will be a tough ask, Matt has started very well down there.

“They’ve definitely started this season the right way which is credit to them, but we’ll be looking to hopefully get the three points.

“I know Matt very well. I played with him at Exeter and obviously here for a few months.

“He’s someone I’ve spoken to a few times about my career because I looked up to him as a young lad at Exeter.

“I’m glad that he has started well and is doing as well as he is, and hopefully he’ll continue to do that.

“But hopefully we can just put a little dampener on it on Saturday.

“He has got all the right attributes to be a manager and a successful one in the future because he knows his stuff.

“He was someone I always spoke to as a young player coming through at Exeter with us both being centre-backs.

“He always pointed me in the right direction so I think he’s definitely got the right attributes to do well.”

He continued: “It will be a big test. Exeter always do well in the league.

“They’ve started well and it will be a tough place to go, but we’ll be looking to go down there and play the football we can play.”