MICKEY Demetriou knows Newport County AFC can't afford to drop their levels if they are to build an unbeaten streak in League Two.

The Exiles head to Exeter City on Saturday on the back of a 3-0 win against struggling Scunthorpe and a 0-0 draw against Bradford City, when the Bantams were hanging on at Rodney Parade.

County now face three more tough tussles in the space of eight days with trips to the Grecians and Bristol Rovers either side of a home fixture with Carlisle on Tuesday.

Exeter have lost just once in League Two this season and central defender Demetriou knows the visitors cannot afford to let their standards drop.

"Fingers crossed we can build on the performances against Scunthorpe and Bradford to go again," said the vice-captain.

"It's two unbeaten and that's nice but it means nothing if we don't go and perform like that again. That's a stepping stone and we've got to build on that, we can't drop below that level.

"It's a big month and every game is hard. We've been around for long around to realise that."

It's no coincidence that County's performances have improved as they have had more luck with injuries.

That has enabled caretaker boss Wayne Hatswell to name a settled side while holding the reins following the sudden departure of manager Michael Flynn.

 

Newport Couty stalwart Mickey Demetriou

Newport Couty stalwart Mickey Demetriou

 

Demetriou, who has made more than 200 appearances for County, believes the experienced members of the squad can help the interim manager keep things ticking along nicely while the board choose their new man.

"Hats and the gaffer were together for four-and-a-half years and a lot of the boys have been there with them for that time as well," said the defender.

"We know what we're about and we could run it the same way for the next four-and-a-half years. We'll wait and see what happens. Everyone's in the dark on that one.

"We obviously know that someone will come in at some point, whether that's Hats or a new person, but whoever it is has got to buy into this football club. The players will give them everything they've got, as we've done for Hats.

"He knows how to get the best out of us – he's done it for four-and-a-half years with the gaffer and it would have been strange if he'd changed that.

"He's said he's here until he's told otherwise so we've got to believe in that and hopefully he's here for the long run."