Rowberry hopes lessons can be learned following County’s exit from FA Cup

HAVING seen his side score eight times in his opening two games, new Newport County boss James Rowberry suffered his first blank as the Exiles exited the FA Cup at the first-round stage for the first time in seven years.

But while there will be no FA Cup cash windfall in the club’s coffers this season, Rowberry is looking for lessons to be learned and pledges there will be no going back on the approach he has taken since replacing Michael Flynn.

A goal with his first touch by former Cardiff City player Aaron Wildig condemned Rowberry to his first defeat as manager and gave League One side Morecambe another precious victory over their play-off final rivals of last season.

“There’s a natural disappointment at losing for the first time, but I think we showed our quality,” said Rowberry.

“Performance-wise we just didn’t score. In the one moment in the game where we switched off they get the goal – that’s the difference between League One and League Two possibly.

“Goals change games and with the amount of shots we had, I think it was 16 or 17 to their nine or 10, we’ve got to take our chances. Their goalkeeper also made some terrific saves.”

Kevin Ellison was thwarted in the second half at his old club as County tried to get the equaliser, but it was not to be. Now they have to regroup for tomorrow night’s trip to Swindon Town for their last chance to get out of their pool in the Papa John’s Trophy.

“The players, staff and supporters have been fantastic since I arrived and long may that continue because we are going to have some ups and downs with how we are trying to do things,” added Rowberry. “Things like this will happen and we’ve got to bounce back from it.

“Next up we’ve got to concentrate on the game at Swindon on Tuesday. That will give an opportunity to certain lads who haven’t played to show what they can do. I’m keen we prepare well for that so we can try to get a result.”

This week Newport face two away trips in the space of four days with the EFL Trophy game at Swindon followed by a long haul to Hartlepool on Friday night. Keeping up the momentum Rowberry has created will be crucial.

“I promised the lads I would be consistent in my approach and we tried to do what we try to do,” he added. “I want to win every game and we tried to follow the process we have put in place and we’ve got to try to maintain that.

“We had our chances to win the game and I’m not going to point the finger at any individual. It is a collective thing.”