The Great Escape is firmly on for County
NEWPORT COUNTY caretaker manager Michael Flynn has told his players to go and finish the job at Carlisle United next week after they finally climbed out of the bottom two.
Ryan Bird headed in on the line after an hour to seal an impressive 1-0 home win over play-off hopefuls Accrington Stanley and lift his side out of the relegation zone for the first time since November.
It was a sixth win in ten matches since Flynn replaced Graham Westley last month, with the Exiles 11 points from safety at the very bottom of League Two.
They are now two points clear of Hartlepool United and in the driving seat in the battle to beat the drop with two games left to play.
“It’s a massive three points,” said Flynn, whose side were thumped 6-1 at Plymouth Argyle on Easter Monday.
“It is a bright reaction from the boys and it’s a huge win, especially with the other results.
“Six weeks ago we were nowhere near, let’s be honest.
“It was a hope, prayer, wishful thinking, but I’ll tell you what’s got us here – hard work, togetherness and a great appetite to produce the goods for the club.”
Not that Flynn is getting carried away.
“We’ll stay grounded,” he added.
“Why would we get carried away? We’re 22nd in League Two – it’s nothing to sing and dance about.
“We’ve got two games to go and I want to finish off next week if we can.”
It was a result that ended Accrington’s 15game unbeaten run and put a big dent in their hopes of making the top seven.
But boss John Coleman felt his side did enough to earn at least a point.
“We took control of the game on a difficult surface, which is virtually impossible to play a passing game on,” he said.
“We made chances and we started well in the secondhalf.
“We had an opportunity to score but it was a great save by the goalkeeper.
“I think at worse we come away with a 0-0 draw.
“I think they are the only team to do the double on us but on another day we win that game comfortably and that’s frustrating.
“I have to take my hat off to Newport, it was a fantastic atmosphere and a really great crowd.
“I take my hat off to the way they clawed themselves back into staying up, they have a great chance.
“I think we deserved more but sometimes it goes that way.”