'We're not far away' - Mullins targets first away points

Despite Newport County's struggles away from home, boss Hayden Mullins believes his side are close to turning encouraging performances into points. The Exiles travel to Accrington Stanley (15:00 BST) on Saturday 19 September, having taken five points from their opening six League Two matches. Despite still searching for their first away point of the campaign, Mullins insists Newport have been competitive on the road. "We're not far away at all from where we need to be," he said. "I look at the performances away from home and we've been in every game. "I'm sure if you speak to those managers, they'd say it was a tough afternoon against Newport, so we're not far away." Newport have lost 11 league matches away from home during 2026, the most of any English Football League side, but Mullins believes there are positive signs beneath the results. "It's not like we've been pulled apart and ripped open. We've been in every game," he added. Like Newport, Accrington have also collected five points from their opening six matches and have won once so far this season. John Doolan's side will pose a threat of their own, particularly through striker Charlie Caton, who has scored six goals already this term and sits among League Two's leading scorers. And with there not being a draw in the last seven meetings between the sides, Mullins expects a tough test at the Wham Stadium "They've got good home form, so we expect a really tough game," he said. "I think they're pretty similar to us. They like the tempo up, the pace of the game up and ask questions of the opposition. "We've got to be good defensively if we're going to get something out of the game." Latest Newport County news, analysis and fan views Newport have also been handed a boost on the injury front. Kion Etete is closing in on a return to full training and could soon provide another attacking option, while James Crole has returned to the grass as he continues his recovery. "Croley is probably another couple of weeks away. He's on the grass and doing unopposed stuff, but it's good to see him back out there," Mullins said. Midfielder Keenan Patten, who was exempt from Newport's League Two registered squad list, remains unavailable with a longer-term injury. While ending Newport's wait for away points remains the immediate priority, Mullins is also mindful of the longer-term project taking shape at Rodney Parade. "The end goal looks a little bit different. I want us to be more expansive in certain areas, but at the moment I have to make us hard to beat and a tough team to play against. "If we can be safe in this division and as high up the league as possible this year, then I'll be very happy. Hopefully next year it will be closer to where I want my team to be."