THIS manager malarky is pretty easy for Kevin Nolan. Two wins, two clean sheets and when things aren’t going to plan you can bring yourself on to save the day.

That’s what the Leyton Orient player-manager did on Tuesday night and despite admitting he played better for Newport County as he kept gifting the ball to them, he played a vital role in the only goal of the game.

With the game drifting towards a forgettable 0-0, Nolan entered the fray replacing Calaum Jahraldo-Martin. Five minutes before the end, Nolan hit a hopeful ball into the mixer and Jobi McAnuff was nudged in the back and referee Andy Davies pointed to the spot.

Nolan picked up the ball and while he is known for rarely missing from the spot, handed the ball to Jay Simpson who confidently struck the ball down the middle to score his 22nd goal of the season.

Newport boss Warren Feeney was furious, saying after that he demanded an apology from Davies and wanted a penalty of his own for a similar foul late-on. “I wouldn’t mind if he’s consistent,” he said. “But through the whole game, I thought he was poor from the start.”

Nolan, who has been in the job for a week, couldn’t have asked for a better start to his management career but understands that it will get a lot tougher, especially as teams will raise their game in an attempt to put one over a stalwart of the Premier League.

“This only the beginning,” said Nolan. “I’m only six days in and still a rookie. I have a lot to learn and will go through ups and downs but at this moment I am enjoying it and hopefully it continues.

“I said to the boys that this is only the beginning. It’s two nice wins but if we win on Saturday it’s even better and then we go again. It’s about keeping our feet firmly on the ground.”

His job will be made a lot easier if he can keep hold of England’s most lethal striker in Simpson, with Nolan saying they have no plans on letting the former Arsenal talent leave unless “it’s a dramatic deal or something which is just too good to turn down.”