NEWPORT County boss John Cornforth has called for his side to show more pride in tomorrow night's live television FAW Premier Cup showdown against Caernarfon (kick-off 7.05pm).

With County having been dumped out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy in the last week, the importance of the clash has increased as there is a huge financial reward in the competition, which also provides County with the opportunity of a crack at the Welsh Football League clubs.

And if that wasn't pressure enough, the match is being beamed out live on BBC Wales.

County manager John Cornforth has to rebuild his side's shattered confidence in the wake of the two recent cup collapses but he is under no illusions as to the magnitude of the match.

"It is a match we have got to go and win, simple as that," he said.

"We have followed a good performance with a bad one and it is time to be more consistent.

"We had a hard training session on Sunday and a good talk and hopefully the players will go out and do themselves justice.

"The match is live on national television, which is a great incentive, and I want them to have a bit of pride in themselves.

"I don't want to be standing on the touchline embarrassed, like I was on Saturday."

He added: "The players will have to be more ruthless because too often they have opted to go and hide rather than to take it on the chin and get stuck back in.

"We have to cut out the school-boy mistakes because on Saturday we gifted them (Kettering Town) each of their goals.

"Players will make mistakes from time to time but it is important that they recover from them rather that continue to make them."

Cornforth is expecting a tough time at Caernarfon but it is not a trip into the unknown.

He said: "I played against their coach (Terry Boyle) when he was at Merthyr and I was at Swansea and he was a tough competitor who could head the ball further than most players could kick it.

"Caernarfon will be in the same mould and if we don't match their level of passion and commitment, it will be very difficult for us."

Meanwhile County have failed in a bid to sign former Hornchurch left back Damon Searle.

The experienced 33-year-old former Cardiff City defender became available at the weekend after the Urchins' financial collapse, but he has decided to opt for a move to Conference National strugglers Forest Green after County failed to match his terms.

Searle was a guest at the Exiles' 4-1 FA Trophy defeat by Kettering and held lengthy talks with chairman Chris Blight, but after spending 24 hours mulling over his options he chose to sign for Ian Lewer's Rovers.

l County striker Carl Wilson-Denis has gone on loan to Southern League Division One West side Brackley.