Hayden Mullins praised the character shown by his side as they fought back to earn a point against Tranmere Rovers, highlighting the desire within the squad to fight for the badge.
"Never gave up. I think the one thing I see in this team is real character, real grit and a real desire to fight for the badge.
"I think at home as well, we've got to make this place a tough place to come and get three points, and I think it's starting to show that. I thought our first-half performance had some really good bits. We got the goal, looked a threat, had high energy and really put Tranmere on the back foot for a long period of time.
"I think we're just talking in there that we've got to find periods of the game where we can see it out and manage a game better. But, like I say, you play games in this division and every game you play against is a tough game.
"There was a little bit of complacency from us and we let them back in the game, but again, the character to come back was first class. As a manager, when you see your team doing that on the pitch and fighting like that, you can't have too many complaints."
Mullins was disappointed with the manner in which Tranmere were allowed back into the contest but was pleased with the reaction from his players.
"Yeah, that's the whole team. I think the bench that came on today really contributed. Kieron Evans had his first minutes for four weeks, so to get him back on the pitch was good for us.
"We've got to manage him back in and, fitness-wise, get him back to a level where he can do 90 minutes for us. When we needed it, we made a big call to change things up front and change the shape a little bit.
"JT came on and gave us some minutes, which was good, and Matt Dibley-Dias came on and helped in midfield. So, yeah, it was a whole group effort today.
"We're a bit disappointed with the way we let them come back in the game, and we've spoken about that. Cam Norman told me that the first one took a deflection off his leg and went in, but you're right, we need to defend better from the goal and be stronger to break them down in those moments.
"But, like I say, I've got no complaints from the boys today. The reaction and to draw a point out of the game was good."
The Newport boss also stressed the importance of turning Rodney Parade into a difficult venue for visiting sides following the club's struggles at home last season.
"I always talk about positives and try to draw positives from performances and games. I think we've got to leave the negatives there, and the one big positive today is scoring late in the game and drawing the game.
"It still feels like we've got something out of the game, and we've got to take that. Like you say, we are unbeaten at home.
"The fans have helped today, the boys who've come off the bench have helped, and everyone's helped. It's a real, real big plus and a bonus that we're getting at home.
"We've got to use that as fuel and really strive to make this place a real tough place to come."
Mullins also praised Shaquille Gwengwe for his impressive start to life at Newport County, with the striker continuing to reward the hard work he has put in since arriving at the club.
"Yeah, Shaq's done really well. I think he's getting the rewards from his hard work. Like I've always said when we've spoken about him, he's playing in an area of the pitch which is not his first position. He's doing the job for the team.
“Shaq just said to me, 'Well, have I earned a place up front yet?' And I said, 'Well, we could change you, but the goals might dry up, so be careful what you wish for.' He's scored four in three games.
"Shaq's doing a good job for the team and he pops up at the end when we need him, and that's a mark of a good striker and a good player — to compose yourself and take the goal as well as he did."
Mullins was particularly impressed by Gwengwe's composure to find the bottom corner late on and rescue a point for County.
"Yeah, measured finish on his right foot. He's playing out in an area, coming onto the ball. At that time, he was up front, we pushed Cole through the middle together and needed the goal, so he went to the front two.
"He picked up the chance at the end and, to be fair, you probably don't want it to drop to anyone else. He's in real good form at the moment. He's a striker who thrives on those moments.
"I think all his goals have been striker's goals. Shaq's doing really well and he's come up a couple of levels, but he wouldn't think that he's performing really well, but I keep reminding him that it comes from hard work and graft.
"It's not going to be easy. He's going to get beaten 100 times and it's tough, and you aren't always going to feel it in your stomach, but he's doing really well. He's taking his goals and getting his rewards."
Mullins believes County's attacking performances have provided plenty of encouragement, with the side scoring eight goals across their opening three games.
"It's really good. I think the boys can see what we're trying to do. Eight goals in three games is really good, and we just spoke about turning the dial down the other side and keeping it shut a little bit at the other end.
"I think what we're doing, how we attack teams and how we take the game to teams, is good. I'm really happy for the group, and the character, the grittiness and the belief is right where it should be.
"We could just look after those moments when the opposition comes into the game."
Looking ahead to Tuesday's trip to Salford City, Mullins admitted his squad will need to be assessed carefully following a number of knocks picked up during the game.
"Yeah, it's a tough game. Coming out of the back of this one, we are going to have to assess the group and the squad and see who's okay. I think we picked up a few knocks today in the game, so we'll see who those guys are.
"Again, we expect nothing less than a tough game. I think they'll be hurting as a group. I'm sure the manager will try and get his group into a really positive place and a position where they can attack us as a group.
"It's probably the positions reversed, right? They probably thought we'd be down at the bottom and those guys would be at the top. I'm sure they'd be hurting, it'll be a tough game and we'll be preparing for nothing less."
Mullins also provided an update on the fitness of several players ahead of the quick turnaround.
"We'll have to assess and see what's happened. There's a few bits. Bamba's come off and was nursing something as well, so there's a few things we'll have to have a look at tomorrow.
"But, like you say, it's back into it — Saturday, Tuesday, which is good. We've got a squad, and whoever gets the shirt has to step into the team and step up."
The manager believes the squad's strength in character has already been evident across the opening fixtures, including during the defeat to Bristol Rovers.
"Like I saw today, I saw a group that was fighting and had character. The lads who came off the bench gave us everything they had, and we went all the way to the end.
"To be fair, the game we lost against Bristol Rovers, we were in the game right until the last seconds. We conceded the goal because we were going for the equaliser. We were in the game right until the last second, we were the team pushing at the end.
"We forced the throw-ins and corners against Bristol. They're going to be a top team and they're going to be up there, so we take a lot of credit out of what we've been doing for the last three games."
With the transfer window nearing its conclusion, Mullins confirmed the club remains active in its search for further additions.
"We're looking to do a few bits. We've always been discussing the sort of bits that we need to bring in. I think, like we've seen today, we need to be a little bit deeper as a squad and be able to dip into areas of the pitch that we need to replace.
"I think we know that, so we're going to try. It's always tough, but like I said, we're going to try."
Mullins admitted Christian's second-half injury could have a greater impact on the team, given the forward's importance to County's attacking play.
"Doigy's probably more so. I think what Christian does for the team is a really good job. He nearly got another goal again today, but he's not quite getting the goals that his performances really merit.
"I think when he came off the pitch, you saw we couldn't get up the pitch as well as we did when Christian's on the pitch. He took a bit of a knock, which is always going to be the way.
"He's a battling player, someone who puts his body on the line a lot. He takes a lot of contact, aerial balls, he's always there, fights for a lot of stuff and puts his body on the line.
"He's taken a bit of a whack today, so we had to get him off. We'll assess him and see where he's at, but I'm not too sure what it looks like for Tuesday."
Finally, Mullins discussed the options available to him at left-back following Tom Davies' absence.
"We could potentially be a little bit light in that area of the pitch, but I'm sure we won't be anywhere which will weaken us. I think we'll be okay. We can get boys into those areas.
"I think Alfie, for his first start, was good. Dan Sassi came on and equally started the second half in that position.
He's not quite his home, but he started off really well, put a lot of effort into the duels and got stuck in.
"Like I say, we just took a couple of backward steps on the chances they created for their goals. I think we got a bit deep, and we'll look at that and make sure we improve."
