NEWPORT County manager Dean Holdsworth insists his side will show their character and bounce back from their shock FA Cup exit at Paulton Rovers.

The Exiles put in a lacklustre display against the Zamaretto League Division One South and West minnows, who fully deserved their 1-0 victory thanks to Neikell Plummer’s fifth- minute strike.

It was County’s first defeat in 20 league and FA Cup games, a run that stretches back to March, and Holdsworth stressed the need for his players to react in the right manner.

“I knew the unbeaten run would come to an end at some point but I didn’t expect it today,” said the Exiles boss.

“I’m very disappointed, as the players are, but we are going to stick together and bounce back.

“We’ve got to prepare for next week and try to go another 20 games unbeaten.”

Defensively poor and lacking in inspiration up front, County never looked like getting back into Saturday’s tie and Holdsworth knows they will have to improve if they are to extend their 19-game unbeaten run in the league at St Albans this weekend.

“It wasn’t a bad performance but there’s no excuse for the way we defended in the first half,” he said.

“We gave away a sloppy goal early on and then we huffed and puffed against a team who had something to protect. They defended in numbers and broke well,” he added.

“We had a lot of players out but that team was good enough to win and they didn’t do it.”

New boy Alton Thelwell came off the bench to replace Matt Smith in the second half and Holdsworth was pleased with his display.

“Alton looked good. He’s short of games but he did well and he’ll be a good addition to the squad,” he said.

County will field a youthful side for tonight’s Gwent Senior Cup tie against Monmouth Town at Spytty Park (kick-off 7.45pm) with the first team squad hit hard by injuries and suspension.

“We’re down to the bare bones at the moment,” said Holdsworth.

“We didn’t even have enough subs. Martyn Giles is banned, Nathan Davies and Gary Warren are out and Charlie Henry was on the bench but not really fit enough to go on.”