GUY Fawkes night is approaching but the only fireworks on show at Spytty Park will be from manager John Cornforth, who says he will be "firing a rocket up the squads backsides".

The dust has barely settled on a shambolic display in the 4-1 FA Cup slaughtering at the hands of Tiverton that resulted in Newport County manager Cornforth reading the riot act at training yesterday.

He said: "I am not prepared to accept that type of performance.

"Everybody was hyped up for the match from the management, the board and the fans, but the players never showed me they were up for it.

"It was a cup match and sometimes you can get beat but I am not having a side that does not give me 100 percent, and there were some players on Saturday who looked as though they didn't give a monkey's.

"I've let them know in no uncertain terms and will be firing a rocket up their backsides." County are at Weymouth in the Carthium Cup first round (kick-off 7.45pm) and Cornforth is looking for an immediate positive response.

He is set to play former Millwall central defender Matt Rees who impressed last night in a closed-doors friendly at Team Bath.

Cornforth said: "We have a chance to put things right and I want to see a reaction from the players.

"Fans paid good money and took time off work for Saturday and they did not deserve what they got on the pitch.

"But the match is in the past now and I have got to be positive. If anyone is still sulking about it they won't get near the team tonight."

The fallout has continued with supporters bombarding websites and forums venting their anger at the capitulation.

Several County players have been given an especially rough ride including winger Jason Bowen, with many questioning his work rate.

"The people pay their money and they are entitled to their opinions," Bowen said.

"That's what football is all about. It isn't nice to get a hard time but we have to get on with it and try to bounce back.

"It was a shocker, no doubt, it was unbelievable. Everything that could go wrong went wrong and we were dead and buried after the first two went in.

"You can't go two down away from home but then to concede right after half time really killed us."

He added: "I can't explain it at the moment. We have been playing quite well since John (Cornforth) came in and passing the ball well.

"We just need a couple of wins in a row and to get a bit of confidence. There is a long way to go in the season and we need to get on a run."