JASON Donovan, who quit Newport County last week, has moved to Cinderford - and Exiles boss Tim Harris is delighted.

Midfield player Donovan decided to leave County to concentrate on studies which include night lectures.

The 27-year-old Donovan, a part-time electrician, is to study an electrical installation course and finish his qualifications.

County's travelling in the Dr. Marten's League, Premier Division, is much greater than that of Cinderford who compete in the Western Division, managed by former County player Tony Hopkins.

The cutting down in travelling and reduced training commitments influenced Donovan, who was immediately linked with Cinderford when he announced his surprise plans last week.

Donovan strengthens the Newport connection at Cinderford and joining him at The Causeway will be defender Leigh Hall. Cinderford's squad already includes Eston Chiverton and Jason Price.

Harris, who had a successful six-year spell at Cinderford, said: "I have no qualms at all. It is great to have a good relationship with Tony and Cinderford - long may it continue.

"No-one will be more pleased than me to see Jason back at County next season." County suffered a 3-2 defeat against Yeovil Town's full-timers in their final home pre-season friendly last night at rain-drenched Spytty Park.

But it is doubtful if manager Tim Harris will lose too much sleep after his side twice led against a team that suffered agony last season when they missed the Nationwide Conference promotion boat.

Harris rang the changes and gave a first run-out to midfield player Bari Morgan, released by Swansea City last week, but County won't be taking it any further. County were not at full strength with Billy Clark, Jason Perry, Matt Rose and Gary Shephard all sidelined.

Harris said: "None of them has any serious problem. There's just over a week to the start of the season and I'm just being sensible, ultra-cautious. They all have little niggles or knocks."

County were twice in front through Scott Walker after eleven minutes and Martin Paul (38th minute penalty) and Harris added: "I was a little bit disappointed at the goals we conceded.

"Just after half-time we had a good chance (Steve Cowe) to score and that would have possibly put a different complexion on things.

"I thought we acquitted ourselves reasonably well. When they started asking questions we went a little bit quiet, but that was probably through lack of experience in the centre of midfield."

Yeovil's 18th-minute equaliser from their eighth corner - an indication of the pressure County faced - was messy, corner taker Michael McIndoe taking the credit. McIndoe equalised again after 51 minutes with James Best getting the 66th minute winner, two minutes after his arrival.

The lively Paul was close to a County equaliser two minutes from the end, the chance created by the equally impressive Walker.

But County will have to tighten up before the opening Dr Martens League Premier Division game at King's Lynn on August 18. County's last friendly is at Gloucester United on Saturday.

Newport County: Mountain (Taylor, 45 mins); Robison, Eckhardt, Souter (Thomas, 64 mins), Benton, James (Dorrian, 64 mins), Griffin (Ryan, 45 mins), Morgan (Pant, 64 mins), Walker, Paul, Cowe (Edwards (79 mins). Yeovil: Weale; Tonkin, Pluck (White, 79 mins), Skiverton, Turner, Ramsay (45 mins), McIndoe, Poole (Johnson, 45 mins), Way, Crittenden, Alford (Best, 66 mins), Belgrave.