Newport must stop conceding terrible goals - Todd

Newport County interim manager Chris Todd urged his players to cut out the costly mistakes that gifted Reading a 4-0 victory in their first pre-season outing at Rodney Parade.

Although Todd felt Jacob Brown's early opener was a quality finish, he was left frustrated by the manner in which the three goals that followed were conceded.

Reading's second came after new signing Yahya Bamba surrendered possession near the halfway line - with Josh Stokes finishing the move three passes later - before Jerae Jones struck twice late on as County failed to clear their lines.

"We were good in spells, but [they were] terrible goals to concede. All four of them really are mistakes," said Todd.

"If you're going to concede and you're going to lose games, you have to lose by them cutting you open, but we kind of gifted them goals, which is disappointing.

"They know that that's not good enough and that's the facts, and I've told them that."

Having conceded 77 goals in League Two last season, many from their own errors, Todd is clear that a similar trend cannot "creep in" to the Exiles' games this term.

Despite the scoreline, the interim boss was encouraged by periods of Newport's performance, though there was little forthcoming in the way of chance creation for County.

"We held our own, first half especially," he added.

"It was very clear to see that we had good opportunities. We should be scoring at least one of those opportunities that we had."

Todd points to Harrison Biggins' teasing cross in the first half as a key moment that just needed that finishing touch from someone in amber.

"We worked on that yesterday, so it's little details that they've got to get right to get a better outcome," he said.

With an EFL Cup match at AFC Wimbledon to come on Saturday, 8 August (15:00 BST), Todd believes there were enough positives to build on as Newport seek to avoid another relegation battle.