Graham Coughlan is refusing to focus too much attention on the Sky Bet League Two play-off chase, despite seeing his Newport side close in on their fellow contenders with a 2-0 victory at AFC Wimbledon.
Goals from Bryn Morris and Kyle Jameson allowed the Exiles, beaten play-off finalists in 2019 and 2021, to move within two points of the seventh-placed Dons, who they have a game in hand on.
Results elsewhere mean the race is now even more congested – with Newport 11th in the table – but Coughlan has a more immediate target in mind.
He said: “It takes us within two points of 57 points, which we set a target for, which was last year’s total, what we got in the division last year.
“When we get to 57, we can maybe realign, reset and set a different target, but at this moment in time we need to get to 57 and surpass what we got last season, which will be an absolutely remarkable achievement under the circumstances…the decision-making process that goes against us, Welsh club in the English league, the injuries we’ve had, losing four big players at the start of the season.
“The setbacks we’ve had, finances, the whole lot, it’s been a really tough season.
“Without a great fan base, without a great group of lads, without tremendous staff, we wouldn’t be able to get to 55 points, and we have done.”
Newport led after nine minutes when Morris powered a shot into the bottom corner from Offrande Zanzala’s lay-off from outside the box.
Zanzala was then denied by Wimbledon goalkeeper Alex Bass before Jameson doubled the Exiles’ advantage after Adam Lewis’ free-kick was allowed to run across the area.
Josh Kelly’s lob struck the top of the bar for Wimbledon, whose manager Johnnie Jackson believed Jameson should have been sent off for a professional foul on John Kymani-Gordon in the first half.
Jackson said: “I don’t want to get in trouble because it’s a tough job they (the officials) have got – but for me if he’s going to give a foul then it’s a red card.
“He [Kymani-Gordon] is going to get a shot off in the penalty box – his touch takes him into the penalty box, he gets taken out, he’s going to get a shot off, it’s a red card.
“If it’s in the box – correct me if I’m wrong – I think the rule is it’s a yellow card, but he’s given a free-kick on the edge [of the area], that should be a red card.
“It changes the complexion of the game, does it change the outcome? We’ll never know about that, but it’s such an easy decision to give and he hasn’t given it.”
Man United could be without Toone until new year, says Skinner
Marc Skinner revealed that Manchester United could be without midfielder Ella Toone until the new year after she picked up a calf injury in training.
Toone has featured in five games in the Women's Super League this season, but is yet to register a goal or an assist so far this term.
The 25-year-old has missed United's last two games and was not selected in Sarina Wiegman's England squad for their upcoming friendlies against the United States and Switzerland.
She had previously appeared in a staggering 96 straight matches before missing United's WSL showdown with Leicester City last weekend.
But ahead of the Red Devils' meeting with league leaders Chelsea on Sunday, Skinner confirmed they would be without Toone for not only that game, but for the foreseeable future.
"We have three games [after the international break and before Christmas]. There's always the hope, but I think you balance and you go, 'right, if we can get her back, we get her back'," Skinner said.
"But we're just not going to rush her in this moment because it's a calf injury, it's your running mechanism. If we injure the running mechanism, it takes longer.
"So ideally we'd like her back for those games afterwards.
"The projection is she misses this game [Chelsea], she misses the international window, probably misses the first game after that, and then we'll see from there.
"But because it is such a short block of only three games, we'll assess whether it's worth that or actually resetting to come back after Christmas."
Al-Nassr 1-2 Al-Qadsiah: Aubameyang winner ends hosts' unbeaten run
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the winner as Al-Qadsiah inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday to end their 21-match unbeaten run.
Cristiano Ronaldo's seventh league goal of the season put Al-Nassr ahead, but Al-Qadsiah replied swiftly through Julian Quinones before Aubameyang struck the decisive blow.
The hosts drew first blood in the 32nd minute when Ronaldo slotted home after Al-Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels had spilled a routine catch from Talisca's cross.
However, Al-Nassr's joy was short-lived when Quinones brought down Turki Al Ammar's delivery five minutes later, with the Mexcio winger firing past Bento to level the scores.
Quinones also played a part in the winning goal after brilliantly turning the ball back across goal from Nahitan Nandez's search pass to tee up a simple finish for Aubameyang.
The result sees Al-Qadsiah move level on 22 points with third-placed Al-Nassr, with Al-Shabab also level with them.
Stefano Pioli's Al-Nassr are six points adrift of defending champions and leaders Al-Hilal, who also have a game in hand.
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