"It could have been seven if it had not been for keeper Tony Pennock, and that would have been a fair result," said a furious Peter Beadle after Newport County's shocking display at Carshalton on Saturday.

County, who had picked up just four points from nine games before Beadle's arrival as manager in October, have added just eight more in the following 12 matches and at the halfway stage of the season they prop up the table.

"The buck stops with me, and apart my first two games as manager and our FA Trophy defeat at Salisbury, we have always had 100% from everybody, but we did not contest the game," said Beadle.

"I can prepare the team as well as possible, but when they get on the pitch it is up to them. I sent Jason Bowen on to set an example and lead from the front in the second half as Tony (pictured) did from the back, but it did not happen."

County's travelling fans let their feelings known, with the players subjected to choruses of 'What a load of rubbish.'

"I have told them to look at the reaction of our fans who cheered them off the pitch at Weston because they did their best, but who have rightly expressed their anger here," said Beadle.

Some County fans expressed concern that at a time when three goals are enough to top the club's scoring chart, there has been movement of players like prolific Weston striker Matt Rawlins, who has dropped down a league to join Chippenham on loan.

Maidenhead, who are just two places off the bottom, are at Newport Stadium on Saturday, when a victory would take County above the Berkshire team, while tomorrow League Two Wrexham visit in the FAW Premier Cup.

Gary Fisken, a 23 year-old former Watford and Swansea City midfield player who has joined on a non-contract basis, was on the substitutes bench on Saturday.

County's Football League Alliance youth team were disappointed to draw 3-3 at home to Swansea City in a game they dominated. Dale Evans and Kris Leek scored, the third goal coming from a Swansea defender.