ANOTHER dose of Yorkshire thriftiness in Harrogate ensured it was a miserable week in the north of England for Newport County AFC.

The Exiles suffered a 3-1 loss at Bradford City on Monday evening and then endured a frustrating 1-0 loss at Wetherby Road in League Two.

The key moment came in the 40th minute when goalkeeper Jacob Carney, on his League Two debut because Nick Townsend was on international duty, failed to gather a routine cross from Ellis Taylor.

Toby Sims nodded in and that proved to be enough for the Sulphurites in a low-quality encounter.

While there were plenty of positives in Bradford, there was precious little to give County solace on the trip back to south Wales.

Here are some talking points from the defeat in Harrogate…

BIG BLUNDER

The last time that County drew in the league was notable, because it led to Graham Coughlan throwing his 'keeper under the bus.

It was Nick Townsend on that occasion on New Year’s Day in Sutton after he failed to claim an injury-time corner and the hosts scrambled a draw.

Coughlan let his frustration get the better of him in the post-match interview but Townsend has gone on to show that he is one of the division’s best stoppers.

Alas, he was in Bermuda on Saturday when in goal for Antigua and Barbuda in their Concacaf Nations League fixture against Dominican Republic. He also had a day to forget – they lost 5-0.

Nonetheless, Townsend’s absence put a summer decision by County in the spotlight after they made the decision try something new this season.

For years they had two experienced goalkeepers pushing each other with Townsend having tussles with Joe Day, Tom King and Jonny Maxted.

Whether it’s worth carrying two seasoned campaigners on the books is up for debate but it does mean that Carney is learning on the job.

The 23-year-old, who has been on the books of Manchester United and Sunderland, has endured a tough start to life in Newport.

He was hesitant for a goal at Leyton Orient in the Carabao Cup and was sent off against Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy, which led to a 1-0 lead turning into a 2-1 defeat.

County were already behind in the closing stages at Brisbane Road for the first mistake and the second was in a development competition, so it’s easier to shrug them off.

However, this was a big error in an important league game and it turned out to be the match-defining moment.

It was heartening to see Kyle Jameson trotting back to console the inexperienced stopper and give him a pep talk because he will be needed throughout the campaign.

That could potentially be as soon as Friday against Chesterfield if Townsend has problems in transit from a Tuesday international, also against Dominican Republic.

Carney made a fine stop in stoppage time but nobody will remember that. Such is the life of a goalkeeper.

Reactions and decision-making are needed by those between the sticks in the Football League, but so is thick skin.

CLEARANCE: County striker Kyle Hudlin goes up for a challenge in HarrogateCLEARANCE: County striker Kyle Hudlin goes up for a challenge in Harrogate (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

FLAT PERFORMANCE

Any ‘keeper, whether it’s five-a-side, Sunday league or professional level, will tell you that it can be a lonely position.

Carney would have spent the second half hoping that his teammates could ensure his mistake wasn’t a costly one, but they didn’t.

The Exiles have created plenty of chances this season but failed to fire at Wetherby Road; they didn’t move the ball quickly and they failed to pose any serious questions against a pretty average side.

There was some alert defending by Anthony O’Connor to save the day for the hosts when Kyle Hudlin was ready to strike in the first half, then there was a tame header by the giant striker and a shot over the bar by centre-back Kyle Jameson from a set piece after the break.

There didn’t seem to be any urgency and Harrogate were never under siege when holding onto their lead. The stats tell the story: eight shots and just one on target, no big chances created.

SWITCH: Cameron Evans moved to left-back in the absence of Anthony GlennonSWITCH: Cameron Evans moved to left-back in the absence of Anthony Glennon (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency)

BALANCE PROBLEMS

There have been question marks over Anthony Glennon after a mixed start to life in Newport but this was a performance to show that he provides some much-needed balance.

The full-back, who is undoubtedly happier as a wing-back, has racked up the booking to be suspended but he has also totted up the assists by setting up goals against Port Vale, Crewe and Salford.

Cameron Evans was solid enough but County missed having a leftie in the side and there were times when they got into dangerous areas but failed to put quick delivery into the box.

Versatile Shane McLoughlin will be another option down the left when he returns from a knee injury but if Glennon isn’t in the side then left-footed Michael Spellman should be as the forward on that flank.

The winger will also be a serious contender for Chesterfield on Friday after an underwhelming display by Bobby Kamwa, although he wasn’t alone on that front.

TRAVEL SICKNESS

County must do better on their travels or they will pile the pressure on for fixtures in Newport.

The Exiles’ backs-to-the-wall win at Morecambe is their only success from six fixtures on the road and they haven’t even managed a draw or two to keep ticking along.

This was a dour game against an uninspired Harrogate side that should have led to a point being totted up while they should have drawn or possibly won at Cheltenham on opening day.

The damage is that both the Sulphurites and Robins are peers that are likely to be in their mini-league in the bottom half of the table once it settles down.

With games to come against Gillingham, a promotion contender but where they won last season, and Tranmere, County need to change the record on the road.