BOSS James Rowberry wants his Newport County AFC side to be “ruthless and relentless” after they kept the foot down against Stevenage.

The Exiles recorded their biggest win since returning to the Football League when they hammered Boro 5-0 at Rodney Parade.

It was the club's biggest triumph since the 7-1 win at Gateshead on the final day of the 2010/11 Conference campaign.

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They led 3-0 at the break thanks to a double by Dom Telford and a cracker by Courtney Baker-Richardson.

County came flying out for the second half and stretched further clear through Telford’s third and a long-range hit by Finn Azaz.

Even at 5-0, Rowberry was animated in his dugout on his Rodney Parade debut as manager keen for his players to keep pushing.

South Wales Argus: DELIGHT: County celebrate Dom Telford's hat-trick goalDELIGHT: County celebrate Dom Telford's hat-trick goal

“It’s important, at Bristol Rovers we conceded a goal late in the first half and I wanted them to continue to strive forward and be ruthless and relentless in what we do,” said the manager.

“We did that well against Stevenage but it’s about maintaining standards. We’ve got to keep doing that.

“There are still things to work on and develop but generally I am really proud of the performances in the last two games.

“I am really pleased with everything that we have done so far but it’s only two games and I am not getting carried away with where we are at.”

Rowberry has made a flying start to life as a manager after leaving his role as Cardiff’s first team coach for the top job at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles are now six games unbeaten with 12 points from a possible 18 since the sudden departure of Michael Flynn.

“I don’t feel it’s easy!” said Rowberry, who has kept caretaker boss Wayne Hatswell as his right-hand man. “I am just trying to stay in the moment and work on the things that I believe in and the staff believe in to move us forward.

“I probably didn’t expect a start like this, eight goals in two wins, but I am not getting carried away.

“We’ve got Morecambe next week and I am already thinking about that and what we need to do to improve and move forward.”

County's progress up the table is now put on the back burner with a trip to Morecambe in round one of the FA Cup on Saturday followed by an EFL Trophy encounter at Swindon.

They return to League Two at Hartlepool a week on Friday.