MANAGER Graham Coughlan insisted he should shoulder any blame for Newport County AFC’s seven-game unbeaten streak in League Two being ended by Notts County.

The Exiles, who were hunting a fifth straight win, suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Magpies and a first league loss of 2024.

The visitors led 2-0 at the break courtesy of goals by Macauley Langstaff and David McGoldrick and then the prolific Langstaff sealed the points approaching the hour.

Newport did deny Notts a clean sheet at the death when Will Evans scored a penalty after Offrande Zanzala was downed in the box.

The Exiles slip to 14th in the table and are four points behind the Magpies, who climbed into the play-off spots.

“We got beaten by the better team. When you win you take the plaudits and when you get beaten you have to take a bit of stick,” said manager Coughlan.

“We made elementary mistakes and basic errors, we just weren't at it. Too many of our players didn't turn up, too many had an off night and we were sloppy.

“On the occasions we got into really good positions in the first half we didn't pick out a final ball. We weren't clinical.”

South Wales Argus: CELEBRATION: Jodi Jones set up Macauley Langstaff for Notts' opener at Newport CountyCELEBRATION: Jodi Jones set up Macauley Langstaff for Notts' opener at Newport County (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

At one stage in the first half Coughlan gave a terse response to a shout from a fan in the stand to change to 4-4-2.

County’s form means that in reality there will be few grumbles from the Amber Army but the boss insists any gripes should be directed at him.

He said: “I will take the flak and the stick. I could've changed shape, I could've changed personnel, I could've freshened the team up but I stuck with our principles, players and system.

“I stuck with a group of boys who were in great form, so if anybody wants to have a go then point the finger at me and nobody else.

“I should have maybe changed a few things around but I am stubborn and thought the players were in great form and deserved to go again.

“I don't think that was a true reflection of us, and that is down to me and nobody else.

“I thought our shape and system was going well over the last seven or eight games and that the players deserved their places in the team.

“I felt it was important we put our flag in the sand with our shape, system and personnel, I didn’t want to chop and change to pacify a possession-based team.

“We played three or four different systems and none of them worked so we have to lick our wounds; we are humble enough to accept that we lost to a better team but we will bounce back. This dressing room always reacts and I can’t wait for Saturday.”

That is an encounter against play-off hopefuls Gillingham, who conceded a late equaliser to Swindon that allowed Notts to go seventh.