STRIKER Marlon Jackson says Newport County AFC must stop conceding ‘sloppy goals’ if they’re to halt a run of 13 games without a win.

Jackson, who scored four times in pre-season to earn a one-year deal with the Exiles, hit his first competitive goal in Tuesday’s EFL Cup clash with MK Dons.

But County were beaten 3-2, just as they were in their League Two opener against Mansfield Town at the weekend.

Having ended last season without a win in 11 games manager Warren Feeney will be desperate to earn three points at Leyton Orient this Saturday.

And Jackson, one of 16 new arrivals at Rodney Parade this summer, is confident that the new-look team can enjoy a successful season – if they cut out the errors at the back.

“Obviously it’s good to get a goal – as a striker that’s what you want to do – but it’s overshadowed by the result,” said the 25-year-old after the MK Dons tie.

“We were 2-0 up and we were comfortable but we’re just leaking too many goals at the moment.

“It’s similar to the game on Saturday – we can take a lot of positives from the first hour.

“We were on top but it was just the last half an hour when something changed and obviously it’s not right – we need to sort it out.

“We started both games brilliantly and then just conceded a few sloppy goals. We’re giving away easy goals, which is not good.

“We’re scoring goals so if we can stop the mistakes and keep a clean sheet we’ll win games.

“We have to just buck up our ideas and just go for it.”

Jackson started out at hometown club Bristol City but never made the grade at Ashton Gate and is now at the 13th different club of his career.

He’s hoping to continue to impress Feeney after a successful start at County.

“Obviously if you’re a striker and you’re scoring goals then it catches the eye,” he said.

“I’ve got individual targets and if I’m scoring goals and the team is winning I’ll get more chances but for now we really just need to get some points on the board.

“If I can score as well then it’s a bonus.”