DONCASTER Rovers were a Championship club as recently as 2014 and will more than likely be a League One club again next year so defeat at the Keepmoat Stadium is no disgrace.

Better teams than Newport County AFC will be beaten at the impressive home of Darren Ferguson’s men this season.

And, while County were largely disappointing, they did create enough chances to sneak a draw with Mark Randall, Sean Rigg, Jon Parkin and substitute Rhys Healey all going close.

But they didn’t capitalise on those opportunities and, after conceding an unfortunate first goal from a soft looking free-kick expertly converted by James Coppinger, more sloppy play at the back allowed Andy Williams to wrap up the points for the hosts before the hour mark.

A third defeat in seven matches means the Exiles drop to 22nd in the League Two table and they are above the relegation zone on goal difference alone, albeit with a game in hand.

Defeat at Donny was not unexpected and in isolation should not concern County fans.

But it’s the accumulation of games without a win – just one in nine in all competitions this season and one in 20 since March – that is understandably testing the patience of many supporters.

Feeney is just as frustrated and, as he spoke to the media after the match, it was clear that he is tired of giving the same answers to the same questions week after week.

“I don’t think there’s anything in the league,” he said.

“That’s the first game this season we haven’t scored and we’re disappointed because I think we had enough chances to score but we’ll get back to drawing board and move on.

“It’s a tough place to come,” he added. “They’re a good side and they’ve got some Championship players.

“They scored 10 goals in the three games before this and they are a fantastic team.

“They’ll be right up there at the end of the season and I don’t think there’s any shame in coming here and losing.

“But it is 11 v 11 and we never fear anyone and I thought we gave them a good go. I think we had enough chances to get a draw.”

So what can Feeney change ahead of what looks like a pivotal home clash with bottom club Cambridge United at Rodney Parade?

It could be time for loan players Kyle Cameron and Rhys Healey to be handed their first starts.

Defender Cameron has yet to feature since arriving from Newcastle United and Healey has been restricted to short cameos thus far.

The Cardiff City striker showed enough against Doncaster to suggest that he will score goals if he’s given more minutes on the pitch.

In midfield Ben Tozer was one of the few County players to impress in his first start on Saturday and Feeney also has the option of giving Swansea City’s Josh Sheehan his debut.

Whatever he chooses to do he knows that his side desperately need a win.

Fail to beat Cambridge and the pressure will only intensify on the manager and his players.

County: Day; Turley, Jones, Bennett, Butler; Grego-Cox, Tozer, Randall, Labadie (Compton, 24), Rigg (Healey, 65); Parkin (Jackson, 65)

Subs not used: Bittner, Bignot, Green, Cameron

Booked: Parkin, Turley, Bennett, Butler

Referee: David Webb

Attendance: 5,254 (266 County)