Edinburgh calls for improvement

Frustrated Justin Edinburgh has challenged Newport to turn their failing fortunes around following a 1-0 loss to Mansfield.

Chris Clements' second-minute goal leaves the Exiles still seeking their first point of the season after three games. They fought back strongly from the setback and nearly equalised through Chris Zebroski's snapshot and Andy Sandell's curling free-kick. But they blew a number of second-half chances to get a deserved reward for a dogged display. Former Stag Aaron O'Connor hit two fierce efforts wide in the closing stages, an indication that Newport knew it was not going to be their day. However, Edinburgh says he has every confidence in his players. "We are playing the right sort of football and creating chances. I have every confidence we can turn things around," he said. "Our level of play is good, but when you are not winning matches you snatch at chances and are anxious which is what happened. "I thought we were the better team for long parts of the game. We need to be more clinical when we create chances and to be tighter at the back. "We have to regroup, but I am certain that our luck will change if we keep playing like this. "People will make their judgement that we have lost the first three games but we have got to be positive. "You make your own luck and that is what we have got to do. You get punished for your own errors and that happened. "Only ourselves can change our fortunes. I have got every confidence in myself and the group." Mansfield boss Paul Cox admitted he was delighted with the attitude of his players after they secured back-to-back wins. Cox said: "We have not played very well, but we have ground the result out. "This was a tough test for us and like one we have not faced this season. It was a tough battle, as we knew it was going to be. "We had good breaks in the first and second half, but we did not take them and close the game out which is disappointing. "Getting numbers out there is an issue right now with our injury situation and I am really pleased with the attitude of the players right now. "I have spoken to our chairman and we do not have any money to bring in new faces. We just have to make the best of the situation and my players are up for the challenge. "What is pleasing is that we have got six points in our last two games against two very strong teams."