TERRY Butcher says Tuesday’s second-half fight back against Swindon Town has given his Newport County AFC players a much needed lift ahead of two crucial League Two fixtures, writes Andrew Penman.

A goal from teenage star Aaron Collins took the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie to penalties after a spirited second period from the hosts.

Swindon eventually went through 7-6, with Collins missing from the spot, but Butcher was pleased that his side improved after a poor performance in defeat at Plymouth Argyle.

“I’m really pleased by the second half showing because it has lifted the gloom a little bit after Saturday,” said the Exiles boss after the final whistle at Rodney Parade.

“Confidence took a bit if a hit on Saturday in the way we lost it but, even though we lost on penalties, we’ve done alright tonight.

“And we know if we can play well against Swindon then we can go out and do well in the rest of the League Two fixtures.”

Butcher believes home clashes with York City this Saturday and Morecambe seven days later provide his side with the perfect opportunity to climb off the bottom of the table.

“We know we have a good football team and all we want to do now is give the marvellous fans, and the drummer behind us, a good three points on Saturday,” he said.

“We know it is coming; we’ve just got to keep going.

“We lost on penalties, which is a lottery, but it was very encouraging the way we played in the second half against good quality opposition.

“We’ve got to take that forward into Saturday and the following Saturday with two home games and we want to get three points in each one.

“It was a good spirited second half performance and we got the crowd with us as well,” he added.

“We want everyone to be together for these next two matches.

“We want to win those two matches and we’ve got to take those little extra steps forward to make sure we do.”

Butcher faces an anxious wait to find out the extent of the injury Alex Rodman picked up on Tuesday but Danny Holmes and Medy Elito should return on Saturday.

“Danny Holmes missed the game because of a knock at Plymouth and Medy Elito was at his cousin’s funeral,” he said.

“It was disappointing that Alex got a hefty knock on his ankle and we’ll have to wait and see how he is.”