Angry Nelson Jardim admits Newport County must be better as they threw away the chance to end the concerns over form heading into the new year.

But the Exiles boss remains confident they can make the tweaks to turn frustrations into points after a third defeat in a row.

Newport dominated Wimbledon at a frost-bitten Rodney Parade on Thursday, but paid the price for not converting chances as Johnnie Jackson’s side hit them with goals against the run of play.

And admitting his anger, Jardim said: “They have just seen that – I have just spoken to [the players] and made them know and feel that I am disappointed and that they have to be better, as simple as that.”

The result moved the Dons up to second, but Newport – with one league win in 10 – are now just six points off the bottom two.

They welcome 23rd placed Morecambe on Sunday (15:00 GMT) but Jardim says he remains focused on the performances.

“We have just played two teams at the top of the table,” said Jardim, whose side were edged out by leaders Walsall on Sunday before this defeat, the first half of which saw County impress with a hatful of opportunities.

“If we play like that and continue to develop, we will win these games that we are dominant and create chances.

“As a coach I have to look at the performance. When you lose and you have nothing, you just lose, but that’s not the case. Yes we lost and we have to know how we lost, but it’s clear if we keep going like that, keep improving little things…the next half of the season we should not be looking at anything other than our performances and how we improve.”

Jardim added: “We have 23 games now, we are halfway through the season with 26 points and if we are exactly the same we will finish on 52 points which will be good – but I am sure we will be better and improve.”