DEAN Holdsworth got into a war of words with Wimbledon fans after the Dons heaped the pressure back on the County boss.

Newport’s ugly side returned in a pre-Christmas horror show in south- west London.

The home fans taunted their former striker with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” after his hapless team was undone by the Dons’ classy attack.

Under-pressure Deano was reduced to budget comparing – as well as having a go back at the supporters who used to cheer his name.

He said: “Am I getting sacked? I don’t think so, not as far as I’m aware. They had some idiots behind the goal and behind the dugout, as usual, but they won’t get to me.

“Today is a setback, we have taken one step backward and now badly now need to take two forward. We didn’t deserve to be 2-0 down at half- time but certainly our concentration has cost us dear.

“We have let in an appalling second goal and the game’s as good as over. That’s the disappointing aspect for me – it gave us too much to do in the second half, not that we ever looked like doing it.”

Holdsworth, recently buoyed by two impressive performances in the FA Trophy against Rushden, must surely now know only a good points haul against Worcester City over the festive period will keep him in his job.

County, now with only one league win since the October 10 victory over Bromley, are teetering too close to the Blue Square South trapdoor for comfort.

The 150 travelling fans, restless even during the recent improvement, to their credit didn’t turn on their manager as the home fans basked in his downfall.

But when asked if Holdsworth accepted the team’s position wasn’t accurate enough for the budget at his disposal, he said: “Yes it is, it’s about right.

“People don’t know how much money I have to spend. Give me AFC Wimbledon’s budget and I’ll show you what I can do.”

Newport started well with a flurry of corners and free kicks from around the box but the away team couldn’t capitalise on the Dons’ well-publicised inability in their own area from dead ball situations.

Only a header from the isolated Craig Reid after Kevin Cooper’s neat cross kept home ’keeper James Pullen’s hands warm.

Then, with Wimbledon struggling to get going, a goal from nothing.

Sam Hatton won a corner which was delivered devilishly into the box by left-back Chris Hussey. Danny Kedwell appeared from nowhere to stylishly volley into the net via the post to open the scoring.

It was harsh on the visitors, who had started the first 23 minutes the better. But with half-time looming they had a mountain to climb. Kedwell – who Wimbledon fans forked out £10,000 to bring to the club earlier in the season – showed why they splashed out.

Elliott Godfrey’s through ball caught substitute Aaron Cook and fellow defender Martin Giles on the hop and the forward squirmed past the pair.

His burst through on goal could only be halted by Glyn Thompson, but once Kedwell rounded the stopper he only had to roll the ball into an unguarded net for 2-0, game over.

In fact, Newport’s display in the second period was twice as bad despite only letting in half the number of goals.

Tom Davis had lashed over from Kedwell’s cross before the two-goal forward himself fired into the away fans behind the goal with a hat trick in his sights.

The third goal duly arrived when Davis crossed for Main after Thompson denied the striker and, unchecked, the Blue Square South top scorer headed into the bottom corner.

Main and Kedwell twice should have added to the scoring but by that time the damage was already done.

AFC Wimbledon: Pullen, Hatton, Hussey, Lee, Judge, Leberl, Adjei, Davis, Kedwell (Aiteouakrim’88) Main, Godfrey (Finn’81).

Not used: Little, Goodliffe, Inns.

Booked: Hussey, Kedwell.

Newport County: Thompson, Bignot, Giles, Turk, Vickers (Duffy’72) Cochlin (Cook’41) Rose, Hughes, Reid, Harris, Cooper (Leek’80).

Not used: Klein-Davies, James.

No bookings.

Star man: Danny Kedwell (Dons).

ATT: 2,945.