NEWPORT County secured back-to-back league wins for the first time since early October when sinking table-toppers Swindon Town at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles are now unbeaten in four league games after goals from Josh Sheehan and Jamille Matt gave them a second 2-0 victory of the season over the Robins.

Here are the talking points from an all-action County display…

Momentum beginning to build

From 10 without a win to four unbeaten, it’s strange how things can turn around so quickly in such a short space of time.

The gap to the team in the last play-off place is now down to eight points, and with games in hand on the sides above them, you wouldn’t bet against another late promotion bid.

County showed their mettle

Conditions may have dictated which way County were going to approach this one, but they carried out their game plan to a tee.

Swindon boss Richie Wellens remarked after the game just how much more physical County had been than his league leaders.

Mickey Demetriou’s long throws did play a big part in earning the three points, while County’s pressing without the ball frustrated a below-par Swindon side.

No reliance on Amond

It was a surprise to most when the name of leading scorer Padraig Amond wasn’t on the team sheet around an hour before kick-off.

Missing your best striker when you’re facing the division’s top team is always a worry, but County managed to get the job done without the Irishman.

It transpired that Amond felt a bit of discomfort in his hip flexor when “taking his boot off” according to boss Michael Flynn, who hopes he will be fit for Leyton Orient next Saturday.

Four debutants show positive signs

The County boss handed defender Ashley Baker his debut from the start not long after signing from Sheffield Wednesday.

And the Welshman delivered an assured performance in one of County’s biggest games of the season.

Proved just how fit he is by going the full 90, while there were cameos for fellow debutants Billy Waters, Dale Gorman and Jordan Green, who was making his second debut after his first loan spell in 2016.

The pitch

Yes, we can’t not mention the Rodney Parade pitch, which should have had three games played on it this weekend rather than the two that actually went ahead.

Anyone watching the Dragons’ European match on Friday night would have been well aware of what was in store for County and Swindon less than 24 hours later.

The groundstaff, who also had to deal with freezing temperatures during the night from Friday into Saturday, worked as hard as they could to get it ready for the League Two encounter.

But the state of it did rekindle memories of the ‘beach’ of a few seasons ago.