AN old footballing cliché rang true for Newport County manager Justin Edinburgh in midweek – 'at least we're getting in a position to miss'.

After hitting four at Evesham and five at Cirencester, the Exiles could easily have dished out another pre-season drubbing on Tuesday evening.

Plenty of chances came and went with the visitors having to settle for a 2-0 success thanks to close-range strikes by forwards Aaron O'Connor and Christian Jolley.

County, who open their League Two campaign by hosting Wycombe on August 9, didn't necessarily have their finishing boots on but the manner in which they carved out opportunities left their boss delighted.

"It was pleased with how we used the ball on a very good surface against better opposition," said Edinburgh after the encounter against Conference South opposition.

"If we were a little bit more clinical and ruthless the score would've been bigger but the pleasing thing is the amount of chances that we are creating.

"The manner of the approach play, patience and the way that we moved the ball was pleasing.

"It was the best that we have played so far this pre-season and we are going through the gears working towards the start of the season."

Edinburgh fielded two triallists at Woodspring Stadium, TNS winger Chris Jones and unattached forward Jacob Cleaver, who has spent pre-season with the club after playing in behind closed doors games last season.

The pair are set to get another chance to impress against Gloucester City in Cinderford on Saturday but the boss admits his summer recruitment drive is probably at an end.

"We've got (a squad of) 22 now but you never know," said Edinburgh. "But Chris Jones and Jacob Cleaver did well at Weston and we'll always be looking to improve the squad if the right person comes along.

"We probably look settled now but we'll have another look on Saturday and go from there."