PETER Nicholas was at the end of his tether after Newport County's dire 1-0 defeat at Ilkeston Town last night - then promised changes for Saturday's game against high-flying Stafford Rangers.

"We were very, very poor," blasted Exiles boss Nicholas.

"We lacked ideas, lacked creativity and lacked effort - that will not happen again at Newport County.

"We just didn't look interested - and I will not stand for that kind of performance. "It was a poor game and a poor overall team performance."

Nicholas, whose side have now lost back-to-back Dr Martens League Premier Division games, vowed to rid the problem with an iron fist.

"The only way to amend bad performances like that is to change the personnel," he fumed. And asked if changes will be made for Stafford's visit to Newport Stadium on Saturday, Nicholas said: "I would have thought so."

Nicholas' right-hand-man Glyn Jones added: "I felt sorry for the supporters who travelled up to Ilkeston.

"We let our supporters down and the team let themselves down.."

Asked how Newport can beat Cardiff City and Swansea City in the FAW Premier Cup one week and lose to bottom-club Ilkeston the next, Jones replied: "Exactly.

"Questions have got to be asked about their mental approach and that's something we're working on.

"When players put on the Newport County shirt, they have a responsibility to perform well for the club and its fans."

County's top-scorer Garry Shephard missed last night's loss at Ilkeston due to family reasons but Nicholas believes the 15-goal striker will return on Saturday for the Stafford game.

Meanwhile, midfielder Steve Cowe, who has been on-loan at Forest Green Rovers since Nicholas arrived at County in November, has signed for the Nationwide Conference side club on a permanent basis.

Newport striker Mark Dickeson, who suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in September and has been sidelined for almost seven months, has also returned to full training.