NEWPORT County AFC manager James Rowberry was left frustrated and “bitterly disappointed” after Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at Stevenage but he’s convinced his side will come good, writes Andrew Penman.

Former Exiles loan star Alex Gilbey scored the only goal of the game three minutes into the second half and Rowberry was not happy with the way his team defended before the midfielder found the top corner from 20 yards.

He also rued a big miss from striker Omar Bogle just before the break but admitted that second-placed Stevenage merited the three points.

“I am frustrated because in the first half we competed with their direct style, with them loading balls into the box,” said Rowberry.

“I picked a team that I thought could physically cope with their direct play and we did that for 45 minutes. But we didn’t do it for one moment in the game, which cost us.

“We had a chance where normally we score and that changes the game in that sense [if he’d scored].

“Then, in the second half – three minutes in – we do something that we haven’t done all game and that ultimately cost us. We missed four first contacts off a direct ball.

“We’ve got to be better at it. I’m bitterly disappointed in their goal and the manner in which we conceded it.

“The game then opened up and they grew in confidence and got more chances as we were chasing it,” he added.

“And, let’s face facts, they had more chances after that so I’m not deluded in the sense of how it could have been [more than 1-0].

“Things could have been different, but they weren’t. They deserved to win the game and we have to be better in certain moments, like I keep saying.

“I’m like a broken record. We’ve got to get better but there’s a belief in what we’re trying to do, and I know we’ll get there. I’m confident of that.”

A fifth defeat in eight league games means County remain 17th in the League Two table ahead of the home clash with third-placed Barrow but Rowberry is staying positive.

“You can spin stats however you like,” said the Exiles boss. “I know we can look at league tables and league form but that’s four wins from six – we look at it that way.

“Barrow will be a similar physical test that we need to compete against. It’s another tough test and we’ve got to embrace it. We’ve got to reflect on this, review it and work hard to get it right and that’s what we’ll do.

“We’ve just got to keep believing in what we’re trying to do and get better at the basics, which is winning first contacts, winning second balls and being the best we can be in that sense.

“We’ve got to address it quickly and we will get there. I’m convinced of that. We will get to where we need to be.”