NEWPORT County boss Peter Beadle was pleased to see striker Craig Hughes back to his old self as he fired the Exiles into the Conference South top six.

County are now handily poised just outside the playoff places with games in hand of their rivals after a resounding victory over bogey side Cambridge.

Hughes' brace - taking him to 49 County goals - and stunning efforts from Lee Fowler and Charlie Griffin saw the Exiles romp to three points and Beadle was content with a job well done.

He explained: "The lads have looked sharp in training, we've got a little bit of zip back and last night we played well, we created chances again.

"We didn't defend well enough by any means, but Cambridge are a good side in a false position.

"We made them look ordinary though and 4-1 is a result people will take notice of.

"The result was pleasing and I was thrilled with Craig Hughes' contribution.

"I've had a chat with him and told him to relax and stop forcing things because he's not scored for a while (since Boxing Day).

"He took his two goals very well, he's an out-and-out goalscorer but it was his all-round play that particularly pleased me.

"His effort and workrate was excellent and he inspired his colleagues tonight."

Beadle is keen for his side to continue their unbeaten league run, which now stretches to five games.

"We've played good, open attacking football and long may it continue," he said.

"We need to keep going and I feel we will."

Beadle refused to criticise the County faithful despite their lowest league attendance of the season.

"The fans who were here were brilliant, they started quietly but once they got going they made the difference," he said.

"The numbers I can't control and I am not going to go on about it, those who came will have gone home happy and that is all I care about.

"We all need to take things one game at a time and we're moving nicely in the right direction.

"We can't do anything else to attract extra fans, we're playing good football and that is all we can do.

"We create lots of chances, we have a hard game on Saturday (at Sutton United) and I am focused on that."