Wayne looking over shoulder as County step up search for new boss

... but caretaker’s all set to remain in the hot-seat, for now...

WAYNE Hatswell suffered his first defeat as stand-in manager at Newport County this week, but could find a new man above him by the end of next week.

The Arsenal U21 side pulled off a last-gasp 4-3 win in the Football league Trophy at Rodney Parade eon Tuesday night to end Hatswell’s two match unbeaten run in charge and he could get one or two more chances to prepare the two before Michael Flynn’s full-time successor is appointed.

All the signs are that the County board will get a formal recommendation from their sporting director, Darren Kelly, on who should take over next week. That leaves Hatswell as the man at the helm for this weekend’s trip to Exeter City and probably for Tuesday night’s home clash with Carlisle.

“I don’t think much will be done this week as far as an appointment being made. I think they will target the week after,” said Hatswell.

“With games on Saturday and Tuesday to cope with I’ve not really had much contact with the board. That’s all I know at the moment, though that could change in 24 hours here, you never know.

“I’m enjoying what I’m doing – it has been different.

“It’s all about the lads being responsive to me and I’m lucky I’ve been here a long time and the core of the group know me well.”

Having led County to a 3-0 win over Scunthorpe United and then a 0-0 draw against Bradford City, Hatswell almost made it three from three in the Football League Trophy. Just as County looked set for the knock-out stages, the young Gunners hit them with two late goals.

The Exiles were leading 3-2 late on in the contest and were set to back up their victory over Plymouth Argyle, which would have led to qualification with a game to spare.

Now they will have to go to Swindon next November with work to do to try to reach the last 32 in a competition.

Jordan Greenidge notched his first goal for County in an exciting and very open first half before Omari Hutchison levelled things up before the break. Salah Oulad M’Hand’s free-kick then gave the visitors the lead before Hatwsell sent on the cavalry.

Timmy Abraham and Alex Fisher both hit the target to make it 3-2 to give the home side every hope of clinching the win. But they conceded a sloppy goal to James Olayinka and then allowed Charles Sagoe to slit in a cutback to take the win.