Taft: It's a tough one, we stayed in it for long periods

Defender George Taft spoke to iFollow Iron after his side's narrow 1-0 loss to promotion-chasing Newport County.

Talking about the team's performance, the 28-year-old told iFollow Iron: “It’s a tough one, we stayed in it for long periods of the game. They’re a good side and they’re up there. We knew it would be hard but we had opportunities and we missed a penalty, as they did too. We had a solid defence for the majority of the game. Their goal came from a set piece but it’s cost us today."

Taft added: “I think it’s a difference if we get a goal and the confidence builds and if we go at the teams but at the minute it's a case of our back against the wall. We just have to keep working hard and change things.

“Newport have got quality and I think we did well apart from our lapse of concentration on one-free kick that cost us the game. Rory (Watson, with his saves) kept us in the game especially, in the first half. He was excellent and we’ve just got to do better to help him out and keep more out of the net."

Commenting about the change of formation to three at the back, Taft said: “I think it was encouraging and it worked well - we knew they were going to put in a lot of crosses and balls in the box and we dealt with nearly every one. It worked and getting out fast are positives to take from the game and it puts me, Manny (Onariase) and Harry (Davis) on the pitch - some more experienced players in a young squad.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s game against Bristol Rovers, he said: “Everyone knows how important every game is; we just have to focus now on Tuesday and get prepared. We can take some positives out of the game as we defended well for the majority but it’s done now. We’ve got 20 massive games left and we need to get the points and stick together.

“We’ve got to get some points on the board and we’ve got to start Tuesday.”

See much more from George Taft and Keith Hill on iFollow Iron.