NEWPORT County AFC’s ability to respond positively after a setback is a “measure of the character we have”, according to goalkeeper Joe Day.

The Exiles, who host Mansfield Town at Rodney Parade today (kick-off 3pm), haven’t lost successive matches in League Two so far this term.

Their first three defeats of the season – away to Exeter City, Morecambe and Luton Town – have been followed by a draw and two victories.

A fourth loss, and a first one in the league at home since March 18, came against Colchester United on Tuesday – a result the Exiles will be keen to make up for today.

Gloveman Day reckons a key contributor to his side’s bouncebackabaility is their understanding as a defensive unit.

Speaking after County’s 2-1 midweek reverse, he said: “We are all really disappointed but we can’t dwell on it, we’ve got to shrug it off because games come quickly and we’ve got an important one this weekend.

“We were going to lose at home eventually this season and, like the gaffer said, the monkey is off our back now and we can put it behind us and start another run.

“We need to put it right against Mansfield and I’m confident we will.

“We do want to bounce back from another defeat and get the momentum going again.

“It’s a big one because after every game we’ve lost this season we’ve not lost the next one.

“It’s a measure of the character we have, not to dwell on a setback.

"You’ve got to get it off your shoulders and go again the next game.

“We’ve had a really good start, still sixth in the league even after a defeat on Tuesday, and morale is really high in the group.

“We’ve got a really good group of lads and I think that shows when we do lose a game.”

He added: “We’ve got a bit of continuity from last season, especially defensively, which is a massive thing.

“You get that understanding and you get to know certain players and what they’re going to do.

“That nullifies any hesitation and I think we’ve got a good, solid unit.

“We’ve conceded 14 in 14 and if we can keep that goal a game record over the season that will be a fairly good one.

“That shows the understanding we have and keeping the key players from last season has really helped.”

Last Saturday's 4-0 thumping of Forest Green Rovers saw Day keep his sixth clean sheet of the campaign in the league.

That came in County's 13th fixture – it took them 30 to achieve the same number of shutouts last season.