COUNTY learned a few home truths on Saturday when they failed to reproduce their outstanding away league form at Newport Stadium.

Back in September they ended a dismal start to the season with a resounding 4-1 win at Hinckley, their first Premier Division success of the campaign at the 11th attempt.

Since then County have picked up 22 points from the ensuing nine games, including a five-match winning run away from home.

But second-placed Hinckley justified their lofty position on Saturday with a performance of ruthless efficiency and clinical precision at both ends of the field.

With striker Neil Davis having joined Moor Green on Friday, and midfield player Andrew Mumford unavailable after his three months' loan from Swansea City, County manager Peter Nicholas was down to the bare bones with his selection options.

He chose Jeff Eckhardt, who has scored seven goals from central defence, to lead the attack, while Garry Shephard made an earlier-than-expected return from a cartilage operation, looking to build on a disappointing return of two goals in 21 appearances this term.

Nicholas said: "It was not a poor performance but we can't seem to get going at home. We played very well in the first half-hour and had a couple of good chances, but I want our home fans to see how well we having been playing in away games. We missed Andrew Mumford, but I hope to secure his signature for the rest of the season."

County, with a strong wind at their backs, made most of the early running, but Hinckley demonstrated the importance of making your chances count by striking twice against the run of play.

Newport skipper Gary Lloyd was genuinely unlucky to see a 16th- minute free kick from 30 yards thud against the upright with United keeper Tommy Whittle static, and a right-wing corner from County's set-piece expert also suffered the same fate.

John Phillips forced a fine save from Whittle in the 22nd minute, as did Shephard just before the break, but Hinckley were by then two goals to the good.

Right-back Terry Evans had a chance to clear in the 28th minute, but Chris Smith dispossessed him and whipped in a cross from the left touchline for Hinckley midfield player Leon Jackson to head past Duncan Roberts.

County were again punished 10 minutes later when Dave Sadler fired in an angled drive that Roberts was only able to parry, and the visitors reacted more quickly to the loose ball as Smith set up Shaun Murray, who extended their lead.

The difficulties facing Nicholas were immediately highlighted when teenage midfielder Gethyn Jones limped off, to be replaced by 17-year-old Academy player Ashley Williams, who nevertheless showed the exciting potential of County's youngsters, as did another 17-year-old, striker Sam O'Sullivan.

But once Hinckley had their noses in front they showed their strength and quality, with Andy Penny dominant at the back, and they again proved the importance of quick reactions in the box when Penny was first to respond after Roberts blocked a sharp shot from Sadler in the 64th minute.

Newport County: Roberts, Evans, Lloyd, Jones (A Williams 39), Thomas (O'Sullivan 67), Morgan, Davies (Stevenson 74), Shephard, J Phillips, Eckhardt, G Phillips. Subs not used: S Williams, Plant.

Hinckley Town: Whittle, Cartwright, Piercewright, Jackson, Penny, Goodwin, Storer (Lenton 54), Dyer, Sadler, Smith, Murray. Subs not used: Voice, Crowley, Stone. Scorers: Jackson (28), Murray (38), Penny (64). Caution: Piercewright (17) (foul)

Attendance: 676.