Newport County producing a battling, resilient team display to end their run of poor League Two results.

A goalless draw against Notts County at home isn’t a spectacular success, but manager Michael Flynn was happy.

He was furious after the 5-0 midweek defeat at Mansfield Town, but was satisfied with the clean sheet and the point at Rodney Parade.

“It was a great reaction,” said Flynn. “I knew I’d get one and it was a game I felt we edged even if it was not a very good spectacle.

“We have an extremely good group of players who have done a fantastic job overall this season.

“I made three changes, one of them forced, but just because we lost one game heavily I’m not going to hang them out to dry. They have been fantastic for me this season.

“It was a tough, battling performance. Those qualities were missing at Mansfield and I’m delighted with the reaction of our players.”

The point sees the Exiles remain 12th, just above halfway, and they moved a point closer to the play-offs. That gap is now six points.

County made three changes from the starting line-up at Mansfield. Scott Bennett was ruled out by a hamstring injury which could keep him out for up to two months and Mark O’Brien returned in defence.

Frank Nouble and Matty Dolan were among the substitutes with Ben Tozer and Shawn McCoulsky called up.

Newport switched to a 3-5-2 formation as they set out to earn their first win in seven league and cup fixtures.

Notts County set up 4-4-2, but were quickly under pressure when Robbie Wilmott collected Dan Butler’s long pass before squaring for Padraig Amond, who shot over the bar from 10 yards.

Jon Stead shone for Notts County and he went close with a shot which went just wide, while he flicked the ball past goalkeeper Joe Day. O’Brien covered and was able to clear.

There were, though, few chances at either end. Newport captain Joss Labadie did fire home from Willmott’s corner just before the hour, but that effort was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Adam Collin.

Frank Nouble and Marlon Jackson went on for McCoulsky and Amond after 64 minutes and the home team almost scored less than a minute later,.

Nouble headed on a Ben Tozer long throw and Mickey Demetriou’s header from six yards hit the bar.

Newport had an abundance of energy through midfield and defended solidly, but they couldn’t create the goal they needed.

The draw ended a run of four successive Newport defeats and they travel to Port Vale next Saturday to face a Valiants team who are 19th in the table.

Victory could yet spark a push for the play-offs from an Exiles team who have eight of their remaining 13 League matches at home.

Newport County: Day, Pipe, Demetriou, O’Brien, White, Butler, Tozer, Labadie (Capt), Willmott, McCoulsky (Nouble 64), Amond (Jackson 64). Subs not used: Bittner, Dolan, Reid, Sheehan, Hayes

Notts County: Collin, Dickinson, Hall, Duffy, Hunt, Grant, Husin (Virtue 73), Hewitt, Noble (Forte 82), Alessandra, Stead. Subs not used: Fitzsimons, Tootle, Brisley, Walker, Milsom

Referee: Robert Lewis

Attendance: 3,326 (284 away)

Newport County’s remaining League Two fixtures:

February

Saturday 24: Port Vale v Newport County

March

Saturday 3: Newport County v Accrington Stanley.

Tuesday 6: Newport County v Forest Green

Saturday 10: Yeovil v Newport County

Saturday 17: Newport County v Luton Town.

Saturday 24: Newport County v Crewe

Friday 30: Newport County v Coventry City

April

Monday 2: Chesterfield v Newport County.

Saturday 7: Newport County v Stevenage

Saturday 14: Newport County v Swindon Town

Saturday 21: Barnet v Newport County

Saturday 28: Newport County v Cambridge United

May

Saturday 5: Carlisle United v Newport County.