MANAGER Graham Coughlan labelled Newport County AFC’s display in defeat to Accrington Stanley as “car crash material” and accused some of his players of “showing their levels”.

The Exiles suffered a fifth League Two loss on the spin despite hitting the front at Rodney Parade thanks to Bryn Morris’ stunning strike in the 13th minute.

Alex Henderson levelled in the first half and then Stanley secured their second win in 11 fixtures thanks to second-half efforts by Tommy Leigh and Joe Pritchard.

County, who had Adam Lewis sent off in added time, were on the fringes of the play-offs a few weeks ago but now look certain for a bottom-half finish and remain two points shy of Coughlan’s target of hitting 57 to match last season.

“Some of the things that we are doing is car crash material. Some of the players are showing their levels, and that’s the disappointing thing,” said the manager.

“We have taken them to a level and to where we wanted to get them but some of them just can’t maintain it and stay at that level.

“We have three games left and we have to limp over the finish line, which is killing me. All the hard work we have put in and we are getting displays like that and players playing the way that they are playing.

“At the end of the season we will sit down and have conversations with a number of them and see where we go because you can’t perform the way that they are performing and expect to be rewarded.”

South Wales Argus: OFF: Adam Lewis was sent off at the death for County after a tackle that prompted a meleeOFF: Adam Lewis was sent off at the death for County after a tackle that prompted a melee (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

County are stretched by injury and lost Matty Bondswell at the end of the first half while Adam Lewis’ second loan spell at the club will be over due to a three-match suspension for his dismissal.

Coughlan admits that his team have lost their snap and energy with games still to come against Tranmere in Newport on Saturday then another home game against Salford and trip to Bradford on final day.

“We didn’t have quality, we weren’t a team that would get the ball and make passes,” admitted Coughlan.

“We are a team that plays at high tempo, we are a counter-pressing team that gives the ball away a lot. Right through the season we have given the ball away.

“Their work rate and attitude is not in question, they are trying to dig deep but they just physically can’t.

“When physically tired after a long, hard season you get mentally tired and then you make silly, daft errors. That’s exactly where we are at the moment.

“There are mitigating circumstances but if you can get to within two points of the play-offs and come off it and falter the way that we are then how do you put yourself forward to progress and push this club on next season?

“How does any player in that changing room come to me and say they want to be part of something next season? The evidence is there and thank God we have got to 55 points because this lot have run out of steam and run out of ideas, physically and mentally.

“I understand the injury room and that we have used the majority of the same people all the time but modern-day footballers should be able to go 55-60 games in a season.”

“I know what they have given us but I am really annoyed, angry and frustrated at what we are getting.

“We have fallen off a cliff and it’s unrecognisable. I don’t see a press, high energy or players running about all over and closing people down.

“I can’t remember the last time that we closed somebody down and got a block in or the last time we landed on a second ball. We look vulnerable, pitiful, sorrowful, weak.”

Goalkeeper Nick Townsend was given a breather after “taking a lot of hits” over the last four weeks while top scorer Will Evans was also dropped to the bench because of his workload only to be called on in first-half stoppage time due to Bondswell’s injury.