NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn will resist the urge to make wholesale changes for the FA Cup trip to Grimsby Town as he aims to stop the rot after successive defeats in League Two.

County were beaten at home in the league for the first time since February as substitute Tristan Abrahams’ penalty miss allowed Salford City to secure a 2-1 victory at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

That result followed a 3-1 reverse at Colchester United and a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Crawley Town last week.

And it means that Flynn is determined to get back to winning ways at Grimsby this coming Saturday and create more magical memories in the world’s oldest cup competition.

“I don’t know if it’s good timing, it depends if we win or not,” said the Exiles boss, whose side return to Blundell Park in the league on November 16.

“It’s a long journey, and we’re back up there the week after.

“We’ve got to go up there and try to win the football match.

“I’ll have a look at it in terms of selection, but I want to win the next football match.

“I don’t want to lose three in a row. I want to win the match.”

County have made millions from the FA Cup over the past two seasons, reaching the fourth round in 2018 and the fifth round earlier this year and only exiting to Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City respectively.

“Obviously, it’s a competition that is big for the football club,” added Flynn.

“It’s brought us some special memories and I want to bring us some more.”

South Wales Argus:

Josh Sheehan (above) picked up his fifth yellow card of the season at the weekend but competition specific suspensions mean he will serve a one-game ban for the league match at Grimsby.

The Exiles’ star man will therefore be available to play in the FA Cup and in the Leasing.com Trophy tie at Cheltenham Town on November 12.

Joss Labadie, who was banned against Salford, will also be back in contention and defender Kyle Howkins could return after recovering from illness.

“Kyle’s near-enough back now,” said Flynn. “He just hadn’t trained enough [before the Salford match] but he’s back in the mix for Grimsby.”

Howkins could be in line for a recall after the Exiles conceded from two set-pieces against Salford.

“We lost the game to two set-plays and it’s not good enough,” said the manager.

“We knew they caused a problem on set-plays and it’s two free headers."

Reflecting on back-to-back defeats in the league, Flynn added: “It should be a harsh lesson for us and it’s a reality check for them.

“A couple of them were maybe getting carried away and maybe thinking they were better than they are.

“But League Two will bite you right on the backside and that’s what it’s done.”

Read more: Newport County 1 Salford City 2 - match report from Rodney Parade