ASSISTANT manager Wayne Hatswell hailed last night’s 2-0 victory at Accrington Stanley as one of the biggest wins of the season for Newport County AFC.

Second half goals from Aaron O’Connor and Shaun Jeffers sealed all three points at the Crown Ground as County kept a third straight clean sheet.

The Exiles are up to sixth in the League Two table before their play-off rivals are in action this afternoon, above Luton Town and four points clear of Plymouth Argyle and Stevenage – who don’t play until Monday at leaders Burton Albion.

“That was probably one of our biggest wins of the season because we played before everyone else and it was a vital win,” said Hatswell.

“It keeps the confidence going and it’s great that we’re grinding out results now.

“You know you’re going to have to battle when you come to Accrington on a Friday night.

“We prepared really well all week for a tough game and, credit to our lads, they fought for it.

“Everyone from front to back worked hard and deserved the win.

“We knew that with our front two, with the way they work, we could get something,” he added.

“We stifled them in a lot of areas, frustrated them and we got a bit of luck with the first goal and the second we hit them on the break.”