NEWPORT County AFC manager Graham Westley paid tribute to his young guns for shooting down Accrington Stanley and kick-starting the Exiles’ campaign.

Second half goals from 21-year-olds Rhys Healey, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Josh Sheehan earned Westley a first win in his fourth match as manager.

Saturday's 3-1 victory saw basement boys County cut the gap at the bottom of League Two to four points with a game in hand.

And, seven days after bemoaning the youthful errors at the back that led to defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle, Westley was full of praise for the youngsters at Accrington.

Westley said: “Everybody knows that there are several players on the sidelines who are there to make a difference – Joss Labadie, Jamie Turley, Lennel John-Lewis and Jon Parkin.

“All those boys have a lot of experience but at the moment we’re having to call on our young players to step up to the plate, leave behind their academy errors and start playing professional football.

“They’re listening, they’re learning and they’re getting better.

“I thought it was a terrific performance from them and a lot of young men have done themselves proud.”

Healey opened the scoring with a fine solo goal on 47 minutes before Barnum-Bobb, playing in a wide midfield role, made the most of a mix-up in the Stanley defence to double the lead on 62 minutes.

Former County defender Janoi Donacien pulled one back for the hosts 11 minutes from the end but Sheehan settled the match in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

“Rhys up top got a fantastic goal and led the line relentlessly,” said Westley.

“He runs so hard and plays with a real sense of purpose.

“And right at the death he could have gone for the corner but he set up Josh and the game was sealed.

“You look at the technique from Josh. It went hard, it went low and it went early – things that we concentrate on in training and it’s nice to see young players listening and taking responsibility with and without the ball to do the things they’re being asked to do.

“And this weekend Jazzi is a goalscoring player in a winning team away from home at a difficult ground and he’ll feel much better about that than about last week’s result and performance.”

Westley also praised the 92 travelling supporters who made the trip to the Wham Stadium.

“The fans since I’ve been here have been terrific,” said the Exiles boss.

“At home the other night there were so many that I couldn’t believe it. On a cold Tuesday night, for a bottom of the table clash, it was incredible the support they gave us.

“And the way they reacted to the players at the end [on Saturday] was first class.

“The fans at this club have been terrific. People told me they would be and they are.”