Newport County

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Goalkeeper Jordan Wright has already kept three League Two clean sheets this season to highlight Newport County's improved defensive steel.

The Exiles, who host Chesterfield in League Two tonight (19:45 GMT), only kept their opponents goalless seven times last season in a campaign that did not go as Wright had hoped.

The 27-year-old, who joined from Grimsby Town in June 2025, first had to overcome Nick Tzanev to earn the starting spot, then had to battle his self-belief as County narrowly avoided relegation.

"Last season was tough. We were down there. It felt like sometimes you wanted to catch a break," Wright said.

"That's football, you just have to learn from it. You have to be strong enough to keep going."

Wright has retained his spot under Hayden Mullins this season, dismissing any summer doubts.

Newport committed more errors leading to goals than any side in the division last term, with Wright taking a share of the responsibility.

Beyond a mistake in the 2-1 win over former side Grimsby, Wright has looked more assured and believes errors come with the territory for goalkeepers.

"If you make a mistake, it's going in the back of the net. You have to be mentally strong enough to deal with that," said Wright.

"I've done it for many years now and if you're not strong enough to deal with it, that's where it can eat you up.

"There's always a next thing. It might be a cross, a save, a kick. You just have to let it go and get straight back onto the game."

Wright has improved and so have Newport.

The Exiles had already conceded 22 league goals at this stage last season. They have shipped six fewer in the current campaign and look far harder to break down.

Only four League Two sides have conceded fewer goals, while centre-back pairing Lee Jenkins and Kyle Cameron have combined for 193 clearances.

"We're not conceding many shots. The organisation throughout the team is solid and everyone's backing each other up," said Wright.

We asked Newport County supporters how their side will respond after their nine-match unbeaten run ended with a 1-0 defeat at Cheltenham Town - and whether they expect the Exiles to bounce back at home to Chesterfield on Friday.

Here is what some fans had to say:

Carl: It's clear they have missed their strikers. All in all the team are fairly solid in most areas having watched Saturday's game.

There were a lot of errors in the game but if you think where we where last season, the team is vastly improved. A season of consolidation and move on for next season.

Mike: Should have got at least a point against Cheltenham but with a growing injury list and [against] a very good Chesterfield, I'd be happy with a point.

Terry: Newport's lengthy injury list is a worry ahead of Friday's game. However when eventually it clears, I see the Exiles ending the campaign just outside the play-offs. Given the dross fans have had to watch over recent seasons, that kind of finishing position will be extremely welcome.

Al: Held our own away from home against a team doing well. Could have, and probably should have got at least a point after missing yet another penalty at a critical time in the game. Unfortunately we've got a growing injury list but also it should open doors to bring in other quality like Matt Smith and [James] Crole. Roll on Friday night! Another nine-game unbeaten streak would be good.

An early goal proved to be Newport County's undoing at Cheltenham on Saturday as their nine-game unbeaten run across all competitions came to an end.

County had a number of chances to get back into the game – including a saved Harrison Biggins' penalty - but could not find the breakthrough.

Manager Hayden Mullins praised his team's "fight and desire" and says they could have drawn or won the game on another day.

Are you confident that County can bounce back at home to Chesterfield in their next game on Friday evening?

Send us your views here.

Newport County manager Hayden Mullins felt his Newport County side could have beaten Cheltenham Town after seeing their nine-game unbeaten run end.

The Exiles had a succession of good chances against the Robins, including a saved Harrison Biggins' penalty, but could not find the breakthrough in a 1-0 defeat.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Injuries are beginning to take a toll on League Two side Newport County, with Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and Matty Jacob the latest names added to a growing casualty list.

Striker Christian Doidge and midfielder Aaron Lewis both picked up groin injuries ahead of Newport's 1-1 draw with York City, while Harri Pugh and Keenan Patten also remain sidelined.

With a big squad, manager Hayden Mullins feels for now Newport have the squad depth to survive the crisis but admits Jacob's absence will be keenly felt.

The Hull City loanee, who arrived on deadline day, has started every League Two game since his arrival before being forced off with a hamstring strain against York.

Alongside helping shore up Newport's defence, he has also posed a threat going forward and contributed two assists in seven appearances.

"Matty's done really well," said Mullins.

"He's a player who has shown he wants to come and play games. He recognised he needed to play, came down here and backed himself.

"He's got a couple of assists and looked really good in the games. He will definitely be a miss, but it opens the door for someone else."

That player could well be Tom Davies, who is fit again after recovering from an injury that has kept him out of the team since Newport's 5-3 derby defeat to Bristol Rovers.

But both Joe Thomas and Alfie Merritt also remain options for Mullins, both of whom started in south Yorkshire earlier this week.

"Tom [Davies] is fit now, Alfie Merritt's around and JT [Joe Thomas] can fill that position," Mullins added.

"We've got a number of players that can help while he's not here [for three or four weeks], but Matty's done really well while he's been in the team."

There was, however, some positive news on the injury front, with James Crole and Moses Walker-Alexander both back in training.

Doidge and Lewis have also returned to the grass but are still several weeks away from contention, while Nyakuhwa is awaiting a scan to determine the extent of his injury.

"We're getting there, but we're taking a bit of a knock at the moment," said Mullins.

"We're stretched and that's why when the Shaq [Gwengwe] one came through it was a little bit more of a blow."

With Newport now facing a testing spell, Mullins has challenged those on the fringes of the squad to take their opportunities.

"I've got no worries about putting players in. If a space opens up, they'll get the opportunity because they've shown they're ready to go.

"It's hard to leave people out because the lads who've got the shirt have done really well, but it's pleasing to see others come in and show us they're ready.

"We're getting lads who need to step up, stepping up at the moment and that's really helping us."

Newport travel across the River Severn to face Cheltenham Town on Saturday 24 October where they will be hoping for their first league away win.

Though a fourth consecutive draw on the road would still extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions.

Ian Mitchelmore
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Jez Tighe/ProSports/Shutterstock

With 12 minutes on the clock at AESSEAL New York Stadium, Newport County appeared destined to endure a torrid night after Paul Mullin and Aaron Nemane netted early goals for Rotherham United.

But, according to goalscorer Harrison Biggins, Newport were ultimately left disappointed not to leave South Yorkshire with all three points as they claimed a hard-earned draw against Alex Bruce's side.

The point ensured Newport extended their unbeaten league run to seven matches, their best sequence since achieving the same record midway through the 2023-24 season.

It was also the first time the Exiles have come from two goals behind to claim a point since doing so against Wimbledon in December 2024, when Michael Spellman and Shane McLoughlin struck to secure a 2-2 draw.

They were without top scorer Shaquille Gwengwe at Rotherham as the striker was serving the first part of a three-game ban after admitting to a charge of violent conduct.

Christian Doidge, Matty Jacob and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa were also absent against the Millers, with Hayden Mullins acknowledging after the match that injuries are starting to bite.

But the resilience and fighting spirit instilled in the squad by Mullins and his coaching staff was once again evident in Rotherham.

The fact they have come from behind to earn a draw on three occasions already this season indicates that the current squad will not let heads drop amid adversity.

Newport are 12th in the table having gained 15 points from their opening 12 league games under Mullins.

They have seven more points than they did at the same stage last season, when they were 23rd.

County have scored five more goals this time around and have conceded six fewer, which are further markers of the team's improvement under Mullins.

Sticky spells will no doubt come this season, particularly if the injury situation worsens.

But the Rotherham draw helped to underline the progress County are making under Mullins - which at this time last year may have seemed unthinkable for the Newport faithful.

Hayden Mullins declared himself happy with a point after Newport County came from 2-0 down to draw at Rotherham United on Tuesday.

Listen to Exiles boss Mullins' post-match interview with BBC Sport Wales.

Image source, Jez Tighe/ProSports/Shutterstock

Harrison Biggins says boss Hayden Mullins has been a key driver behind Newport County's improved form this season.

The Exiles stretched their unbeaten league run to seven matches by coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Rotherham United at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Tuesday.

Biggins - who netted his third goal of the campaign from the penalty spot against the Millers - says the fact Newport were disappointed not to beat Alex Bruce's side shows the progress they have made under Mullins.

"We've just gone back in the dressing room and had a little debrief and I think we're actually disappointed that we didn't come away with all three points, which says everything to be honest," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"But we've got another point on the road and it's something to build on again."

Newport's impressive unbeaten run came under severe threat as Paul Mullin's penalty and an Aaron Nemane strike put Rotherham 2-0 up inside 12 minutes in South Yorkshire.

But Biggins and Ged Garner found the target to ensure Newport returned to south Wales with a point.

"We've got great belief in there between everyone," Biggins said of the Newport dressing room.

"We need to go and keep building on that, not get carried away, keep our feet grounded and keep pushing."

On Mullins, the 30-year-old said: "He's really calm in there. He gives us the confidence that we need to go out there and express ourselves.

"We know we've got his back, to work for him and work for each other and that's what you need.

"As a group of players and a group of staff that are in there, we're all so together. That just comes from the gaffer and the confidence that he gives us all."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Hayden Mullins believes there is plenty to be positive about as Newport County aim to extend their unbeaten run to nine games at Rotherham United on Tuesday (19:45 BST).

Just three days after battling back to earn a 1-1 draw against 10-man York City, the Exiles are back in League Two action against a struggling Millers side.

Rotherham are without a win in six games across all competitions and sit in the relegation zone – a place that was all too familiar to Newport last season.

However, County are full of confidence after 11 games, and are looking to extend their league unbeaten run to seven matches.

A first league win on the road this season would move County into the play-off places ahead of a trip to Cheltenham Town on Saturday, 24 October.

Away from home, a switch to a back five has brought greater stability and resilience, helping the Exiles grind out results as of late.

"Our shape is good," said Mullins. "I'm happy with it. I'm happy with the players and how they've taken on board all the information.

"For us as staff and me as a manager, it feels good. It looks good. There's loads of positive points to build on.

"The group is a really good group to work with. We're eight games unbeaten, and we're looking forward to Tuesday's game."

With centre-forward Christian Doidge absent through injury, others will need to step up, and Kion Etete did exactly that at the weekend.

By scoring with his first County touch, Etete sealed a point against York, while Tanatswa Nyakuhwa has looked determined to make an impact this season.

Mullins does not anticipate that Etete will be ready to start on Tuesday evening, with his cameo on the weekend being his first competitive minutes since March.

Newport's tough-to-beat mentality has been a feature of their recent run, often leading to fiercely contested encounters, and Mullins expects Rotherham to be no different.

"We play wholeheartedly. There were a lot of tackles flying around, and there normally are when we play. There's a lot going on.

"I'm really happy with our group and where we are as a club and as a football team. There's loads and loads of positives. Long may it continue."

Image source, PA Media

Newport County have been drawn at home to Walsall in the First Round proper of the FA Cup.

Hayden Mullins' men will host their League Two rivals at Rodney Parade on the weekend of 6/7/8 November.

County reached the second round last season, losing to National League side Boreham Wood.

Newport County Striker Kion Etete on rescuing a draw against York, and ending his long goal drought.

Emile Nuh
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

When Newport County announced in June they had re-signed defender Cameron Norman ahead of the 2026-27 season, it created more than a ripple of excitement among the Exiles' faithful.

During his first spell with the Exiles Norman made 92 appearances, scored six goals and provided 10 assists across two stellar campaigns that saw him earn consecutive Player-of-the-Year awards in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Now, the 31-year-old is again pivotal for County, starting every league game for Hayden Mullins' side so far, who sit just two points off the play-off places and six clear of the bottom two heading into Saturday's encounter with York City.

When asked about whether he had any doubts about returning to Rodney Parade, Norman said: "Not really, to be honest. When it was first presented, I liked the sound of it [because] football circumstances took me away in the first place.

"I was also quite keen to help turn the fortunes around from where the club had been over the past couple of seasons, so I'm really happy that I made the decision [to come back].

"I loved it the first time I was here and had lots of special memories. It's funny because I almost remember more faces from the fans than I do on the football side, so it's great seeing familiar faces that turn up every week and we love playing in front of them."

County's home form shows that, unbeaten at Rodney Parade in five league games and victory on the weekend would mark a third-straight win in NP19 for the Exiles.

"Everybody knows home form is massive, that's your advantage every other week," said Norman.

"Going back to last Saturday against Colchester, Rodney drove us on for that last 10 to 15 minutes once we got the goal.

"And then going back to Grimsby, again, we were maybe holding on towards that last five to 10 minutes. But every single time there was a positive action, you got that response and the boys just felt backed.

"We've had some really good days there so far this season, and hopefully on Saturday we can have another one."