NEWPORT County AFC caretaker manager Jimmy Dack praised his side’s effort after a 2-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon.

Justin Edinburgh’s departure to Gillingham was confirmed two hours before kick-off and County slipped to a fourth successive defeat.

Two goals from Adebayo Akinfenwa were enough for the hosts to seal all three points after Kevin Feely was sent off in the second half for the Exiles and Joe Day also saved an Akinfenwa penalty.

Dack, who is in charge ‘for the foreseeable future’ at Rodney Parade is keen to move on from talking about Edinburgh.

“We’ve drawn a line under it now. Justin’s gone and it’s time to move on,” he said.

“We’ve got to start talking about Newport County and the players that are playing now.

“I’m not going to use that as an excuse. Everyone was aware of it and the boys knew the gaffer was going and it’s down to us now to get some results and get our season going again.”

And Dack was pleased with his players’ performance even if luck was not on their side.

“Up until the sending off I thought it was a good performance,” he added.

“I thought we played well in the first half – there wasn’t a lot in the game.

“And I thought we were the better team in the second half. There was only one team going to win it up until the sending off.

“That derailed us a little bit but even playing with ten men we did exceptionally well.”

The defeat means County remain sixth in League Two but now only three points clear of eighth-place Plymouth Argyle and Dack knows that Tuesday’s home clash with Tranmere Rovers is crucial.

“It’s four defeats but three of them have been away from home and it’s hard to win away from home,” he said.

“We have lost four on the bounce but the performance was there.

“Yes we need a goal but it’s about us regrouping and getting a win at home on Tuesday now.

“The boys are positive. They gave their all and that’s all I ask.

“We’re not getting the rub of the green at the moment but the harder the work the luckier you get and sooner or later it will turn round.

“It’s about getting a platform to build off and we need to do that on Tuesday to get up and running.”