PADRAIG Amond's 11th goal of the season was not enough to prevent Newport County AFC slipping to a 2-1 defeat at Swindon Town, who scored in the second minute and the 82nd minute to claim the win. Here are the talking points...

Slow start puts County on the back foot, again

Many of the travelling fans will not even have taken their seats before their side fell behind with the hosts’ opening goal coming after around 61 seconds.

It was an extreme example of a problem that’s plagued the Exiles for much of this season and especially on the road in recent weeks and months.

Manager Michael Flynn was so unimpressed that he opted to make a tactical substitution after just 26 minutes but he and his players seem to be finding this problem very hard to solve.

Swindon coped better with the difficult conditions

It was clear that the wind played a big part in the momentum of the match with Swindon on top in the first half and County the better side after the break.

The Robins obviously had the advantage of being used to the way the blustery conditions effect things at the County Ground and they made the most of that knowledge to pile the pressure on the Exiles.

The visitors really struggled to mount any serious attacks in the first 45 minutes but Swindon did manage to threaten on the break in the second half and took their chance to snatch all three points.

South Wales Argus:

Away form becoming a concern

After winning four of their first seven away games this season – at Cambridge United, Port Vale, Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers – and earning a creditable draw at Exeter City, County have tasted victory in just one of their last nine matches on the road.

That win came at non-league minnows Metropolitan Police in the FA Cup and it’s a sequence that has seen the Exiles go down to defeat at Crawley Town, Carlisle United, Cheltenham Town and now Swindon Town.

“We’ve not started very well lately away from home,” said Flynn. “It’s getting on my nerves a little bit, if I’m honest, so I’ll make sure that we address that.”

Exiles hamstrung by hamstring problems, again

Scot Bennett returned from the bench on Saturday, while Robbie Willmott and Matty Dolan could be in contention to play some part against Wrexham on Tuesday.

But the Exiles treatment room must be fitted with a revolving door because both Andrew Crofts and Mark O’Brien were forced off at the County Ground.

Two more hamstring problems will lead to more questions about the sheer number of muscle injuries that County have suffered already this season and will put extra strain on a small squad during the most hectic period of the season.

Semenyo pushing for a starting spot

It’s been a good month so far for Bristol City loanee Antoine Semenyo, who made an impact as a late substitute at Wrexham in the FA Cup and performed well as a starter at Cheltenham Town in the Checkatrade Trophy.

And the 18-year-old made a big difference when he was introduced after just 26 minutes yesterday with his direct running caused panic in the Swindon defence.

Semenyo is reportedly being watched by Premier League giants Manchester United and he must be a contender to start Tuesday’s hugely important replay against Wrexham at Rodney Parade.