AS a player, Peter Nicholas demanded 100 per cent from himself in every game, but his current Newport County troops are not doing likewise.

The Exiles manager and former Welsh international captain will have to draw on all of his expertise to snap his players out of this dismal start to the Dr Martens League season.

The Welshmen are still without a premier league victory after five games following a gutting 2-1 defeat at Grantham Town on Saturday, a game that County were leading after just four minutes.

But while some of the blame falls at the manager's doormat, the players must stand up and take responsibility.

They are the ones missing the clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities, giving the ball away cheaply in dangerous areas and not urgent enough in their closing down of opposition.

County's squad now face a big test of character to lift their confidence and get that all-important opening win. The experienced players must lead by example and stem what is already their worst start to a season since their formation in 1989.

Newport's men must dig deep and hoist themselves back on track as although a top 12 position is their realistic target to get in next season's newly-revamped and extended Conference.

That objective would seem more difficult if this bad run of results continues and descends into a mini-crisis.

But it is not as if County are not creating the openings, their usually clinical strikers have not found their range - and they need to discover it very quickly.

County had much the better of the territorial advantage and possession at Grantham but they failed to penetrate which is worrying Nicholas.

They need an injection of flair and creativity, someone who could change the game within a whisker and get decent crosses into the box from the byline, providing more ammunition for the strikers.

Young left-winger Chris Rogers could be an answer. Not in the matchday squad on Saturday, the 18-year-old is a very raw talent but Nicholas needs that kind of player in his team. He could open up defences.

The strikers still need to put those chances away. Nicholas' biggest dilemma is his side's shy nature in front of goal.

Garry Shephard and Neil Davis, alongside Mark Dickeson in a three-pronged front-line, were again the main culprits.

With the game delicately poised at 1-1, Shephard, County's top-scorer last season, sped through on goal, danced round Grantham keeper Mario Ziccardi and with the net at his mercy, his shot was blocked.

Earlier, County had taken the lead for the first time this season as Gareth Phillips pounced to boot home a loose ball after Gary Lloyd's 25-yard fourth minute free-kick rebounded off the wall. The strike opened his Newport account.

The lead, however, didn't last for long. Eleven minutes to be precise.

Stuart Wilson whipped an inviting right-wing ball into the six-yard box and striker Kevin Slinn twisted to volley into the top corner.

Nicholas' side, though, didn't waiver from their attacking game plan.

Targetman Dickeson stung the hands of Town stopper Ziccardi with a 20-yard volley before right-back Steve Williams twice did similar.

But confusion in the visitors' defence reigned with 13 minutes to go as Grantham snatched an undeserved equaliser.

Veteran centre-half Jeff Eckhardt didn't clear Wooding's cross-field ball and allowed Slinn to find Wilson with a clever lob and he lofted the ball over County keeper Pat Mountain.

County face tricky Chippenham Town on Wednesday, a team that has never beaten them. But omens go out of the window as Saturday was Grantham's first success in nine outings against the Exiles.

Grantham Town (4-4-2) : M Ziccardi; T Wooding, S Dakin, R Gould (c), M Fox; S Wilson, P Wilkin, J Kearns, N Inman; K Slinn, K Wilkin (A Speed, 89) Subs not used: D Hallows, G Bowater, S Wenlock, G Last Booked: J Kearns 61 (foul),

Newport County (4-3-2-1) P Mountain; S Williams, J Eckhardt, T Evans, G Lloyd; G Phillips, M Rose (c), N Palmer (A Stevenson, 67); N Davis, M Dickeson (J Phillips, 77); G Shephard Subs not used: L Stone, A Williams, G Wesson Booked: N Davis 32 (unsporting behaviour) Referee: Mr R Beevor (Norwich) Attendance: 423