NEWPORT County boss Tim Harris stuck with more-or-less an unchanged side last night as the Exiles' were held to a goalless draw at home by Carmarthen Town in the FAW Premier Cup.

Harris said it would give the players "the mental toughness" that is needed at this level. Ten of last night's starting 11 lined up against Second Division Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Saturday in the FA Cup First Round and battled out a 2-2 draw, a game which they were so close to winning.

The players did look tired and the amount of games they have played this season is starting to take it's toll.

County have played 28 competitive fixtures this season in six competitions in just 93 days, that is one match every 3.3 days this season.

Bearing in mind each player has a full-time job and personal commitments, playing that number of games as well as training twice a week you can forgive them for a more relaxing performance last night.

And the main thing was they weren't beaten, they kept a clean sheet and Newport are still favourites to reach the knock-out quarter-final stages of the lucrative competition. They are joint second in Group B with Rhyl, behind last night's opponents Carmarthen who have already qualified.

If they remain unbeaten against Rhyl in North Wales on December 4 and get at least one point from the two matches against Gwent rivals Cwmbran Town they'll progress to the next stage of the competition.

Last night Newport weren't really tested and dominated most of the possession. They looked comfortable on the ball and passed well, but often fell into the trap of playing just that one pass too many.

Carmarthen though looked a decent enough side and their defenders dealt easily enough with any crosses into their box.

The visitors had a good chance to break the deadlock in only the fifth minute when Ryan Nicholls could not convert a Neil O'Brien knock-down from five yards.

County had a few half-chances in the first period. Matt Rose had a couple of efforts but none really tested the keeper, one of them was from about 12 yards out but he lifted his shot over the bar when he should have hit the target.

Darren Ryan too had opportunities to score but the best chance fell to striker Garry Shephard. Stuart James whipped in a perfect right-wing cross to the back post where Shephard, who had found space well, headed wide when the goal was at his mercy.

Carmarthen could have taken all three points when substitute Mark Gornall's left-wing cross was headed over by Craig Evans, after the midfielder had found space in Newport's box.

Harris said: "I think Carmarthen are a good side and I thought it was an entertaining game after what we have been through in the last 48 hours.

"I decided to stick with the majority of the boys who played against Blackpool on Saturday and it was a test of their mental strength and mental character and I think they have come through it.

"We have not got the goal but we haven't conceded. We have passed the ball around well and if anything we over-played a little bit and our delivery into the final third could have been quicker.

"But we are not disappointed especially when you look at the fixture list over the past couple of months you have got to be pleased with what we have come out with. And we can still qualify and that's important.

"We have put them through the mill but it is that mental toughness that I think some of them needed as when you're tired you've got to go that extra yard and I think they did alright."

PICTURED: County's Jason Perry battles with the Carmarthen defence.