NEWPORT County boss John Cornforth will do his best not to let the managerial hangman's noose dangling over his head affect him going into tomorrow's crucial Nationwide South trip to Lewes.

Cornforth admitted last week that his job would be in jeopardy unless results improve, and quickly, as they have lost their last four matches on the trot.

Fans voiced their dissatisfaction at the end of last Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Histon and although they have only played six matches, it was after eight games last season when Peter Nicholas was deposed as manager, and they had ten points on the board by then.

"I have been in the game long enough to know how it works," Cornforth said. "It is a results-based business and no matter how performances have been or how close you are the answers are in black and white. It's the nature of the beast.

"I can't dwell on it. We have lost four games in a row and the players know the situation that it's got to change and quickly."

He added: "It is only September and we are already in the sacking season, at all levels of the game.

"In the Championship Bobby Williamson has just been sacked by Plymouth and right at the top look at the pressure England's Sven-Goran Eriksson is under.

"The difference for Sven though, is, if he gets the bullet, he'll walk away with £5 million in his pocket."

Despite the pressure, Cornforth is staying positive for tomorrow's match and he is confident that his side can turn things round.

"We are all in this together," he said. "It was a good game down there last year (a 2-2 draw) and we will be looking for an improved performance.

"I really don't think we are that far off. We need to start putting the ball into the net and to get that bit extra out of some players. Our luck has got to change at some point, I just hope that it's soon."

Veteran defender Chris Curran was released by the club last night after failing to convince his fitness and Cornforth has lodged seven days notice for Merthyr Tydfil's former Cwmbran Town centre-back Paul Cochlin.

They will be without full-back Ian Hillier but there may be a chance of winger Jason Bowen getting a spot on the bench.

Cortez Belle and Nathan Vaughan are back from suspension and should start as well as Ashley Williams in place of Hillier.