BOSS Graham Coughlan has challenged his Newport County AFC side to play with the same snap against Crewe on Friday as they did when hunting an FA Cup upset.

The Exiles are preparing for the League Two trip to Gresty Road after suffering last-gasp heartbreak against Derby County.

The Rams sneaked a 2-1 win at Rodney Parade thanks to a stirring second-half comeback with goals by Louie Sibley and David McGoldrick turning the game on its head after Priestley Farquharson’s header.

Derby are pushing for promotion from League One while County are in need of points to avoid having a battle against the drop in League Two in 2023.

Coughlan’s reign has been featured fixtures in the Carabao Cup, EFL Trophy and FA Cup against teams from higher up the pyramid but now he gets a chance to build up a head of steam in the league.

The manager has taken eight points from five games and wants to climb the table by showing the same fight that gave the Rams a scare.

South Wales Argus:

“I don’t want it to be because it’s the FA Cup and because it’s Derby County, I want it to be in the league and I want consistency,” said Coughlan.

“The lads have shown they can do it and now my challenge is to take that form and type of performance into the league, not just because there’s a big team and the television cameras in town.

“Perform like that in the league and we will win more games that we lose. Let’s go to Crewe and see if we can repeat that performance.”

The Derby goals frustrated Coughlan – “allowing a player to cut inside is a no-no for me and so is a free header in the six-yard box” – but he is encouraged by what he has seen in just over a month in charge.

County have beaten Colchester and Gillingham, drawn at Mansfield and Northampton and lost to Stockport since he replaced James Rowberry.

The manager lamented a missed opportunity against Derby but feels that repeating the performance will lead to the club climbing up from 18th in the table.

“I want to be stood after games with victories, clean sheets and points in the bag,” said Coughlan.

“We’ve got to put some victories back-to-back, which is something we haven’t done often this season.”

County now face a key run of games leading up to the busy festive period with trips to Crewe and Hartlepool either side of a home game against Doncaster.

South Wales Argus: County boss Graham CoughlanCounty boss Graham Coughlan (Image: PA)

“When you go to the next level you do get punished and I want us to be as ruthless and clever as Derby,” said Coughlan.

“That comes down to good players, good coaching and working hard, and I think we have got all that.

“They are a great group of lads and they do ever so well for this football club. It’s up to us as coaches to push their game to the next level.

“I am excited about working with this group if that performance against Derby was anything to go by.

“We can’t wait for Friday to get that taste of defeat out of our mouth and go and get some wins before and after Christmas.”