MANAGER Graham Coughlan bemoaned Newport County AFC’s inability to do the basics in their 3-0 defeat to Notts County in League Two.

The Exiles’ miserable run of form continued at Meadow Lane where the Magpies showed their promotion credentials in a one-sided encounter.

Notts County hit the front through Dan Crowley and then Macauley Langstaff scored goals either side of half-time.

Newport County sit 19th in the table, five points above the relegation zone, after only Colchester won of the division’s strugglers.

However, the Exiles have taken just six points from 10 games since an encouraging August and they continue to leak goals.

“They have quality players and they are up that end of the table for a reason, we are down our end for a reason,” said Coughlan.

“It’s our inability to stay in games or keep clean sheets is hurting us and we need to correct it.

“I could bemoan our injuries and not being able to get a settled back four but it doesn’t matter who goes into the team because it’s just basics.

“It’s frightening when you see professional footballers and they are not able to do the basics.

"It’s really annoying as a former centre-half. If the players continue to make mistakes then we will continue to lose games.”

South Wales Argus: DOUBLED: Macauley Langstaff put Notts County 2-0 upDOUBLED: Macauley Langstaff put Notts County 2-0 up (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

The Magpies’ first came after Bryn Morris was dispossessed in midfield, the second came when Langstaff was unmarked in the middle of the goal and the third when he got the run on Ryan Delaney to slot from close range.

“You cannot have two centre-halves outside the front post and the lad Longstaff in the middle of the goal – he’s got a big number 9 on his back, so that would tell you something,” said Coughlan, referring to the goal that made it 2-0.

“They played with one striker up there and we had two centre-halves who couldn’t look after him.

“It’s annoying when you can’t get the basics of the game right and I suppose that maybe they are lacking a little bit of confidence and self-belief, but this can’t continue.”

South Wales Argus: BLOW: Newport County defender Josh Seberry was stretchered off in the first halfBLOW: Newport County defender Josh Seberry was stretchered off in the first half (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

County suffered another dose of injury misfortune when 19-year-old Josh Seberry was stretchered off shortly after the opening goal.

The Irish novice received lengthy treatment, had his right lower leg put in a protective boot and was given gas before being taken to hospital.

“It’s a bad one. He is currently in the hospital and we will have to see what the medics want to do,” said Coughlan immediately after the game.

“We are still awaiting news of the exact injury but we feel for him, he’s such a young kid and it was a bad one.

“We have to get around him and await the decisions. Injuries are part and parcel of football but you never like to see players stretchered off with gas and air, as soon as that comes out you know it is serious.”

County are also without defenders James Clarke (groin), Kyle Jameson (hip) and Adam Lewis (quad), midfielder Harry Charsley (ankle) and forwards Offrande Zanzala (knee) and Seb Palmer-Houlden (hamstring).

They travel to Gillingham on Saturday with their hosts sitting seventh after a 1-0 win at Swindon.