AFTER a chaotic game featuring chances galore it was a central defender that earned the praise of Newport County AFC manager James Rowberry.

The Exiles beat Portsmouth 3-2 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday with Priestley Farquharson continuing his graded return from a serious injury to his right knee.

The England beach soccer international went under the knife in March to sort a longstanding issue and returned for pre-season.

Farquharson made his competitive return with 53 minutes at Luton in the first round of the Carabao Cup and followed that up with an hour against Pompey.

The centre-back made an impressive start to life in Newport after being signed by Michael Flynn from Connah's Quay Nomads in January, 2021.

However, the 25-year-old has since been troubled by injury and hasn't played a full 90 minutes since the 1-0 loss to Northampton on September 14, 2021.

Farquharson's height and physicality gives him a point of difference and County are cautiously working him back towards being a contender, with another outing in the EFL Trophy clash at Exeter on Tuesday likely.

"I've got to give credit to Priestley. He came in for 60 minutes against Portsmouth and it is tough for him at times after what he has gone through with injuries," said Rowberry.

"Carl [Serrant, assistant manager] has really worked hard with him, especially with his background after having to retire early because of injury.

"I was really proud of Priestley, we got the result and I was really proud with his performance. He showed his quality."

South Wales Argus: BACK: Priestley FarquharsonBACK: Priestley Farquharson

County started with the 4-2-2-2 that they preferred under Rowberry last season but could return to a 3-5-2 at Harrogate on Saturday, with experienced centre-backs James Clarke and Mickey Demetriou either side of Declan Drysdale.

The Exiles have looked solid with wing-backs but were shaky in the first half against Pompey, who missed several big chances at 2-1.

County threatened in attack and Rowberry insisted their dodgy moments at the back weren't down to faults with the system.

"The goals that we conceded were from poor defending individually with regards to clearances. They didn't play through us with the shape, it was down to individual errors," he said.

"We conceded one off our throw-in when we were not set up properly through lack of communication, but let's remember that's the first time that team has played together, and the second goal was down to mistakes.

"It could have been 4-4 at half-time – it was kamikaze at times – but in the second half we controlled it.

"We are getting to that now and that is really important and pleasing, because we also did that against Tranmere."