THE 2-1 defeat at Stevenage saw Newport County AFC slump to 22nd in the table as they continue to limp towards the finishing line in League Two. What did we learn from the sixth successive loss?

1. County haven’t been this bad for a long time

Not since the Conference South days under John Cornforth have County endured a worse run of league results than this.

From August to October 2005 the Exiles lost 10 in a row and Warren Feeney’s men could match that by the end of the season the way they’re going.

2. But the Exiles don’t deserve to be relegated

Fans who claim County ‘deserve’ to go down and will only stay up by ‘default’ are wide of the mark, despite the side’s current travails.

Over the campaign as a whole Dagenham & Redbridge and York City have proved to be worse and neither has been able to take advantage of County’s six successive defeats.

3. Warren Feeney isn’t afraid to hook players having a ‘mare

Left-back Ben Davies was given a torrid afternoon by Stevenage winger Tom Pett and was put out of his misery after just 38 minutes.

That was brave and bold management from Feeney and a warning to the rest of the squad that below-par performances will not be tolerated.

4. Scott Barrow was the biggest miss

Pett would not have had so much joy if Barrow was fit to play in front of Davies on the left flank and things might have been different for County.

As it was Feeney opted to start with Medy Elito and John-Christophe Ayina on the left of midfield and they offered Davies no defensive cover whatsoever.

5. Aaron O’Connor is still a goal threat in League Two

The striker was not offered a new deal by Terry Butcher last summer, presumably because of budgetary restraints as much as playing ability.

He showed on Saturday that he is still a quality finisher and also that he still has love for the Exiles as he refused to celebrate his excellently taken goal.