ashurst was appointed manager of newport county in 1978 following the departure of colin addison to west bromwich albion. ashurst was manager from 1978 to 1982, the most successful period in the club's history. newport were promoted to the third division in the 1979–80 season and won the welsh cup, entitling them to play in the 1980–81 season european cup winners' cup, reaching the quarter finals. ashurst was sacked by newport county in february 1982 and addison returned as team manager. the team, largely assembled by ashurst, attained newport county's highest post-war finish in the 1982–83 season, 4th in the third division, narrowly missing out on promotion.