Newport fans on survival mission
MICHAEL FLYNN admits Newport face a nerve-jangling final day after defeat at Carlisle left them in danger of dropping out of the Football League.
With second-bottom Hartlepool losing, the Exiles could have secured their status but they surrendered the lead to lose 2-1.
Caretaker boss Flynn said: “I don’t know if my nerves can handle it, but our place will be rocking next week and the boys have got to rise to the occasion.”
Hartlepool interim boss Matthew Bates was encouraged by his team’s display in the 1-0 loss at Cheltenham.
His team now have to beat Doncaster next week and hope Newport fail to win against Notts County.
“On another day we come away with at least a point,” said Bates.
The title race will also go down to the final weekend, with Plymouth in pole position following their 2-1 win SPURS’ relentless pursuit of Chelsea continued as they followed the Blues’ win over Everton with a comfortable victory against rivals Arsenal. That has left Chelsea 1-14 for the Premier League title, with Spurs 13-2.
At the bottom of the table, it is a straight fight between Hull and Swansea to avoid the drop. Middlesbrough’s point against Manchester City was a shock but they remain 1-250 to be relegated. Swansea are odds-on at 2-5 to go down against Crewe, and Doncaster and Portsmouth also in contention.
Doncaster manager Darren Ferguson believes his side have blown their title hopes after a 3-1 loss to play-off-bound Exeter.
“At the moment it’s very raw and we’re very disappointed,” said Ferguson.
Pompey, who won 1-0 at Mansfield, head into the final weekend two points off the summit.
Manager Paul Cook said: “We will still keep believing we can win the league. We are in with a chance.”
Colchester beat relegated Leyton Orient 3-1 in a bizarre match match which was stopped after an on-pitch protest from disgruntled home supporters. The game resumed after a break of an hour in a deserted ground. Orient manager Omer Riza said: “It was the right thing to finish the game off.” with Hull 15-8. Tonight, Watford host Liverpool, with the visitors odds-on at 1-2 to win.
Liverpool have been slightly inconsistent of late but need to ensure they take advantage of both Manchester sides dropping points yesterday. They are up against a Watford side who have their towels out and are halfway through applying their suntan lotion already, so a comfortable victory should not be hard to come by.