AFTER their comeback win against Mansfield Town at the weekend saw Newport County AFC climb to the top of the table, they now turn their attention to the EFL Trophy.

Matt Dolan's 88th-minute penalty sealed the win on Saturday which saw County extend their unbeaten run to four games in League Two.

The Exiles are now top of the league with ten points from their three wins and a draw.

Up next are Norwich Under-21s in the group stage of the EFL Trophy.

County are currently bottom of Group N with one game played.

They lost their opening game in the group 1-0 against Cheltenham.

In the past two seasons, Newport have had mixed fortunes in the competition.

On 27 August 2019, Newport County faced West Ham United of the Premier League in Round 2 of the EFL Cup, eventually losing the tie 2–0.

READ MORE:

Newport fared better the following year.

They went all the way to the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy last season, eventually losing out to Salford City on penalties on February 19, 2020.

The Exiles will be full of confidence after their good start to the season which also saw them run Newcastle United close, almost securing a win before Shelvey struck a fantastic curling effort which took the game to penalties.

Newport eventually lost the shoot-out but did themselves proud in the game as a whole.

County rallied for their most recent tie, at home against Mansfield.

Despite going a goal behind to another rocket of a goal, they held strong to snatch the win in the closing minutes.

Manager Michael Flynn said: “It was a massive win because of the energy we used up against Newcastle.

"Mansfield made it very difficult for us in the second half and they deserved to take the lead.

“As much of the ball as we had, we didn’t create that much but our character and attitude was second to none. Everything went against them, but they stayed together.

“Scott scored a fabulous goal and Matty got the winner. It’s still early doors, but there is no doubt it’s been a very good start."

Reflecting on the penalty decision, he said: “It was in the box and the referee has given it. It did hit his hand.

"Sometimes you get the rub of the green and sometimes you don’t."

This viewpoint was one which Mansfield manager Graham Coughlan didn't agree with, although he said that criticising decisions would not help.

Looking ahead to tonight's tie against Norwich Under-21s Flynn said that he would have to be "very careful" who he selected to play.

The EFL Trophy has arguably not been a priority for County over the years and Flynn looks to be taking every precaution with regards to player fitness for the side's next league encounter against Cambridge.