NEWPORT County AFC have gone four matches without scoring but Shawn McCoulsky believes the Exiles have the firepower to end their February goal drought at Port Vale on Saturday.

The 2-0 FA Cup replay loss against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley was more a source of pride than disappointment but manager Michael Flynn will be concerned at failing to find the net in defeat at Colchester United and Mansfield Town in League Two.

And, although he saw the 0-0 home draw with Notts County as a good response to the 5-0 humbling at Mansfield, the boss knows his team need to improve in attack.

Top scorer McCoulsky is convinced that he and fellow front men Padraig Amond, Frank Nouble, Marlon Jackson and Paul Hayes can fire the Exiles to a first victory since January 19 when they travel to Vale Park.

“There were not too many chances for us [against Notts County],” said the 20-year-old, who has netted 11 goals during his loan spell from Bristol City.

“It was a game to just react losing 5-0. It was a good reaction from the boys and let’s just keep doing what we are doing now.

“We have gone seven games without a win now but if we keep working hard and pushing, that win is going to come very soon I’m sure.”

McCoulsky was handed his first start for the Exiles since Boxing Day at the weekend but he and Amond failed to trouble the Notts defence.

They were replaced by Nouble and Jackson with 25 minutes remaining but the hosts did not register a shot on target throughout the match, according to official statistics.

South Wales Argus:

“Obviously I’m very pleased to be back [in the team],” said McCoulsky, speaking to iFollow Exiles.

“Podge and Frank have done well all season so, as the gaffer says, there is that competition for places, which is good for the team.

“I think everyone brings different sides of the game to the team.

“And obviously it’s good to have Marlon back [from injury]. He’s been training really well since he’s come back, and he deserves his chance.

“Having five strikers is obviously good for the gaffer and it’s about us all fighting for our place now.

“Obviously, when I get my chance then I have to take it,” he added.

“Hopefully I’ve done that [on Saturday] and if I get the chance again next week then hopefully I can take it again.”

Asked to assess his performance, McCoulsky said: “I would say that I worked hard, gave the Notts County defence a lot of problems and gave them something to do throughout the game.

“The ball didn’t drop to my feet as much as I wanted it to in the box and it wasn’t a game really full of chances, but we got the hard work out of the game and pressed them.

“We did have them on the back foot a lot of the time and that’s all that matters really.”

The draw meant the Exiles stayed in 12th position in the table but they closed the gap to the top-seven to six points and McCoulsky is positive that the team can still challenge for a play-off spot.

“Yeah definitely,” he said. “Anything can happen really until the end of the season.

“Obviously eight of the games left are at home so that will give us a good boost to fight for promotion. Who knows what can happen?”