NEWPORT County manager Dean Holdsworth admits he had started to believe his side could remain unbeaten for the whole league campaign before Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss at Staines.

The Exiles boss had seen his players notch up 20 games without defeat and was convinced they could repeat the feat of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ of 2004.

But in the land of Ali G it was Ali C – midfielder Ali Chaaban – who put paid to that ambition with the only goal of the game.

County remain top of the Blue Square South with nearest rivals Dover and Thurrock also losing on Tuesday and, despite his obvious disappointment, Holdsworth is positive that the result will just be a blip for his men.

“Having had time to reflect I think the message to the fans and everyone at the club is not to panic,” said the Exiles boss.

“We are disappointed but we played well and created chances. On another night it was a game we could have won and, although the defending for the goal was poor, I thought we were 95% of the way to where we want to be.

“With the run we were on I think we all believed it would go on and on and I thought we had a chance of going the whole season unbeaten,” he added.

“But the law of averages says you will lose eventually and it’s important that we react well to this and bounce back as we have done with other setbacks in the last few months.”

Holdsworth’s men host Basingstoke Town at Spytty Park on Saturday and, despite one or two knocks on Tuesday, most of the walking wounded should be fit to play.

Defender Gary Warren, an unused substitute at Staines, will be in contention to start while Charlie Henry (virus), Ashan Holgate (ankle) and Kerry Morgan, who suffered heavy bruising on his leg after a horror tackle in injury time, are expected to have recovered in time to be considered.