NEWPORT County manager Anthony Hudson and chairman Chris Blight have apologised to supporters following Saturday’s dismal 5-0 reverse at Mansfield Town.

The Exiles’ disappointing campaign went from bad to worse after a Matt Green inspired Mansfield ran roughshod over County.

“That wasn’t an acceptable performance, the players know that and I have told them that,” Hudson said.

“We must stand strong and stick together. But our supporters paid good money, travelled a long way and deserved much better than that.”

Chairman Blight added: “I felt compelled to say something and would like to tell our supporters who attended the game that we were very disappointed, everyone associated with the club was. It isn’t acceptable.”

Hudson is certain that staying strong and working hard is the only way to proceed.

“This club doesn’t suddenly have bad players, but our last three performances have been unacceptable,” he said. “We all know we are capable of far better and we need to put in the hard work.”

Meanwhile, the future of midfielder Sam Foley seems uncertain after boss Hudson admitted he is still looking to recruit new players, former Bristol Rovers man David Pipe a known target.

The Argus can confirm an approach has been made for Foley from former boss Dean Holdsworth, now manager of League Two Aldershot.

“David (Pipe) has been training with us, but I don’t know at the moment, hopefully we can try to sort something out with him,” said Hudson.

When asked if Foley was surplus to requirements, Hudson commented: “Sam has not trained most of the week through injury and we decided to come with a team of players who were fit and ready to play, that’s all it was,” he said.

“There are a few things going on at the moment that we are working at as a club and we will have a better idea next week on that. It’s certainly not a done deal.”

- Hudson will include the players who didn’t start on Saturday in his team to face Croesyceiliog at Spytty Park tonight in the Gwent Senior Cup, kick-off 7.30pm.